Saturday, August 1st, 2026: Is James getting enough to eat? James plants decorative trees, my adult coloring book, walked over 5,000 steps, "All of My Heart; In Love" need more rain to keep verbina and green grass

 

Star Valley, Wyoming

Temple #154. 

I woke up thinking James wasn't getting enough to eat. I suggested we go to LaCasita for lunch. He says he is getting enough to eat, but if I want to go, we will go. Well, when it came right down ot it, I just didn't have the energy to get ready to go. We stayed home and had tomato soup for lunch instead. I made sure James ate all of his.

James bought to new decorative trees the other day at Lowe's to replace the two that died. Today he planted them. He is doing more and more everyday. 

I got out an old adult coloring book and colored while watching our Hallmark movie this evening. Next, when I practice a bit, I'm going to get out the Disney one that Kacey and Charlie gave me. It is so beautiful. I finished the Snow White picture but have lots more to go.

I walked over 5,000 steps today but didn't do much of anything else. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm ever going to feel good again. 

James and I loved the second movie in the Lacey & Brennan series, "All of My Heart; Inn Love". 

I did do my two blog posts today. At this rate I should be caught up before my birthday. I can't believe it is already August.

I wish we would get more rain. I love the green grass and the lavender verbena.

"The seminal doctrines of the Resurrection and Atonement have been accomplished by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

- Elder Quentin L. Cook

Nehemiah 8:6

And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Summer & J.B.

Friday, July 31st, 2026: I interview Tom, Pierce's treatments, Hallmark movie: "All of My Heart", sending James's email attachment, we have no Zelle right now,

 

Fort Collins, Colorado

Temple #153.

I asked Tom this morning how is night was: "Did you dance in the dark, party in the pines, or frolic in the fields"? As usual, he keeps his night life a secret. I am realizing I love Tom more than any pet I've ever had, as he lies on my lap and I rub his tummy.

James went to see Pierce again yesterday about the pain in the mouth where his teeth were pulled. Pierce rubbed some paste on his gums where the teeth were and sent James home with some colloidal silver, free of charge, because Pierce made it himself.

James and I watched the first movie in an old Lacey Chabert & Brennan Elliot 3- part series on Hallmark. This first one is called "All Of My Heart". Lacey and Brennan, alias Jenny and Ben in the movie inherit a house together. Lacey wants to keep the cute older home in Buck county, Ben wants to sell and get out as fast as he can. Of course a relationship develops between them and they end up keeping the house to fix up as a bed & breakfast, goats and all. It's a great series and we are looking forward to watching the second segment tomorrow night. This is the great thing about Hallmark Plus. You can watch any movie Hallmark has ever made at anytime with no commercials. I love it and I think I am convincing Kim to love it too,

It was a nice, relaxing evening watching the movie together. Earlier in the day James needed help sending an attachment to an email. He was so distraught because he couldn't find his scans that it became very unpleasant. I told him to take pictures of the documents he wanted to send and attach them to his email right on his phone. He has never used his phone to send or receive emails so this was a whole new concept to him. I was sitting on the recliner with Tom on my lap, resting my swollen knee. James took a picture of the documents, then I opened his email app on his phone, found the business he was emailing the documents too, attached them and pushed send. These documents are being sent to a realty company who says they are selling our timeshare. I hope it's legit. WE ARE GIVING THEM NO MONEY!!

I tried to Zelle Pierce some money but it says we are not allowed to use Zelle right now because of the fraud. GRR

Two homes: Chandler and Vernon

Congratulations

Jason & Marin

and

Brent & Rebecca

Thursday, July 30th, 2026: Inklings, I miss Kim, visit w/ Cheryl Sedig, Donna Beckham, and Kerri Halcomb, James's mouth still bothering him - no temple, finished "Seeking Persephone" started "Courting Miss Lancaster', Christmas movies

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple #152.

While James was gone to town this morning, getting stain, two new decorative trees, and a chicken cashew salad for me. There is a year guarantee on the trees and he was two days late so they would not give him his money back. They did give him store credit. Thank you Lowes. Thank goodness Culver's opens at 10:00 or I would not have gotten my delicious salad. 

Did I mention that I miss Kim this week. 

While James was gone to town I stayed home and watched Inklings. Emily and her daughter Megan were the presenters. The talk was the one Emily gave, "Best Days and Worst Days" by President Emily Belle Freeman.

Scriptures: Matthew 14, 16, and Luke 22

Word: Best - Hebrew: towb - A good thing; better; sweet.

Invitation: "Have you ever accepted an invitation from the Lord and then felt unequal to the task? We all know what it is to doubt, to experience sinking moments. But notice where Jesus was when Peter accepted the invitation that seemed too big. He wasn't shouting instructions from the shore or offering advice from the safety of the boat. he was in the water - with Peter, within reaching distance.

Promise: Because of Him, no matter how bad things are right now, your best days are ahead.ome

Favorite Quote: "And maybe it took both the worst days and the best days for Peter to become who the Lord needed him to become.

Affirmation: I am not defined by my worst days. Becauseof Jesus Christ, I can rise again with faith, hope, and courage. My best days are ahead as I keep my eyes on Him and trust His power to strengthen and transform me.

This afternoon I made two ministering visits, first with Cheryl Sedig, and then with Kerri Halcomb. I missed Cheryl's birthday on Sunday so I brought her a birthday card and a journal that says 'Be Happy' on the front. She had just had the RS lunch bunch and then a presidency meeting at her house so it was a busy day for her. Donna Beckham was still there, picking some onions from Cheryl's garden. I took the opportunity to ask them about the new RS schedule coming up in September when RS is every week and for only 25 minutes. Cheryl asked if I still wanted to teach one week a month and I said yes, unless they needed me to do more. Cheryl said Amy would also probably want to teach only once a month. She also said it was difficult to find teachers because some sisters are intimidated to teach adults. I told them if I needed to, I could teach twice a month.

After Donna left Cheryl and I had a nice visit. She said she had assigned Kathy and I to minister to her because we were already ministering to Pat Tedder who lives out Cheryl's way. She had taken Cindy Brown off our beat, because she lives quite far out in the other direction. Now that Pat has passed away Cheryl said she wasn't sure it was a good idea for us to visit her. She doesn't need visits because she is already involved in all of the RS activities and gets plenty of chances to interact with the sisters. I told her how much Kathy and I had enjoyed visiting with Cindy Brown and it might be difficult to find someone else to drive out as far as she lives. I also told her that I thought Cindy was someone who needed visits. Cheryl said she would talk to Kathy and see how she felt about visiting Cindy again.

After leaving Cheryl's I went to Kerri Halcomb's. Kerri has changed the house quite a bit since her mother passed away. She took down most of the family photos. On one wall she has photos and awards from when she was a border patrol agent. Kerri had two dogs, three cats, and a niece that live with her. The niece's name is Dominique. She is a divorcee who is in a custody battle with her ex-husband over their three children. Kerri is worried about her because she is supposed to get a job and she doesn't even seem to be looking. She was supposed to be employed by the end of July. She has a court date coming up in August and may not get custody of the children because she told a lie about her ex-husband saying he was abusive to the children. Kerri wants to help her but she also wants Dominique to be more responsible.

James won't be going to the temple tomorrow. He is just not feeling up to it, and honestly, neither am I. My left knee is barely bendable and is causing me a great deal of pain. 

I finished reading the book, "Seeking Persephone" and started the next book in the series, "Courting Miss Lancaster." I also watched the first two episodes of Lacey Chabert's new series, "Paris is Always a Good Idea." I will need to watch again when Kim gets back. 

Here are the Christmas movies I watched today: 2022 - "A Fabled Holiday" starring Brooke D'Orsay & Ryan Pavey. 2023 - "Checkin' It Twice" with Kevin McGarry & Kim Matula. 2024 - "A Novel Novel" with Julia Gonzalo & Brendan Penney.

"Heavenly Father sent Jesus to earth. He showed us how to live to be happy. He taught us how to love God and love others."

- President Susan H. Porter

Nehemiah 2:20

Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.

The LDS author Saray M. Eden who

wrote "Seeking Persephone" and all

of the other books in the Lancaster series.

High school friend, Sherry

Cosper Byars. I am sad she

didn't come to our reunion as

she lives in Snowflake.

Wednesday, July 29th, 2026: Tom disappears after breakfast, Khole goes home after 3 hours of work, lots of thunder, no rain, 2 Lacey Chabert Christmas movies, James mouth hurts,

 

Sapporo, Japan

Temple #151.

Tom disappeared after breakfast today and we didn't see him until this evening coming off the hill. This, after staying inside most of the day yesterday. He came inside for awhile and laid down on my lap, then jumped down and eventually begged to go outside. Some days he's cuddly and needy, and other days he's very independent. 

Khloe and Gabe came to work this morning. Khloe only lasted about 3 hours before Gabe took her home. James wondered if it was because she didn't like the work. Gabe said no, she has stomach issues. James paid her $38.50. I'm not sure why he didn't pay her $42. Gabe stayed 8 hours and got $112. 

Lots of thunder this afternoon, but no rain. I made an appointment for James and I to go to the temple on Friday. His mouth is still bothering him from the two teeth he has had pulled. It it's not better by tomorrow, Pierce says to come back because he might have dry socket. The hurt goes on for both James and me.

James and I watched two Lacey Chabert Christmas movies this evening, "Christmas at Hart Castle", and then "Christmas in Rome." James didn't like the first one very well because it was based on a lie. He really liked the second one, even though he remembered seeing it before. I liked both of them, because the lie was for a good reason, they learned from it, and it all got sorted out in the end. I told James that we can always learn from others mistakes. I also watched a 2019 movie with Candace Cameron Bure called "Christmas Town." It was the best of the three movies.

"To Nephi, Jesus Christ was not someone distant or merely known by name. No, to Nephi, the name of Jesus was his salvation."

- Elder Aaron T. Hall

Ezra 7:26

And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

Brian found Jesus in the plant above

the doll cabinet.

Mason loves the weighted turtle we

sent to Kacey.

I love this!

I wonder if we could get Scooter

to do this?

Tuesday, July 28th, 2026: Unfroze our check account, Gabe Peralta & Khloe Mack work for us outside, James's tooth pulled -not a pleasant experience, trip to town for stain & paint, Culver's, Tom is cuddly, rain tonite, Kacey gets her package, Christmas movies continue

 

Provo City Center, Utah

Temple #150.

The first thing I did this morning was call Chase and unfreeze our bank account. James was amazed at how easy it was.

Gabe Peralta and Khloe Mack worked for us today. It started raining about the time for them to quit. Khloe came in to use the restroom. I told her Brother Lambson was gone getting a tooth pulled. She said they would wait for him to get back, which was an indication to me that they were expecting to get paid. I told her we could pay them checks today or cash tomorrow. She went outside to talk to Gabe, came back and ask if they could have checks today. I wrote them each a check for $112 for 8 hours each. 

James's tooth pulling experience was quite horrendous. Pierce gave him five shots to deaden the pain. He kept bending the needles because he was hitting bone. He had to drill a hole in the bottom of James's jaw so he could shoot medicine in for pain. It was quite an ordeal. Pierce felt so bad he didn't charge him anything. 

After the tooth pulling James and I made a trip to town to get stain and paint. James says he is going to have Khloe paint the garage door. We drove through Culver's for my chicken cashew salad and James an ice cream. He put the cup of ice cream up against his jaw most of the way home because the cold felt good. He is pretty miserable. When we got home he took some meds and took a two hour nap. 

Tom was very "needy" today. He slept with me on the recliner two times today and then slept with James on the bed. I like it, but I didn't get much done. 

Kacey got her care package today and was very grateful. 

We got some rain this evening. Here are some of the Christmas movies I watched today: 2015 - "Once Upon a Holiday" starring Paul Campbell, 2016 - "Sleigh Bells Ring" Erin Cahill, David Alpay, 2017 - "Switched for Christmas" Candace Cameron Bure, 2018 - "Christmas in Love" with Brooke D'Orsay & Daniel Lissing. 

Lots of sitting today because I am not feeling well.

Culver's cashew chicken salad

Monday, July 27th, 2026: Sent Laura another bday card, J sees Pierce and has to have another tooth pulled, Dr. Ellsworth visit, Walmart, Circle K, Culver's, bank fraud on our checking account, more Christmas movies

Tijuana, Mexico

Temple 149.

I slept on the recliner last night because of my knee. 

James went to see Pierce this morning because his mouth is still bothering him. Pierce said the tooth next to the wisdom tooth he had pulled is rotten, deep down, and has to be pulled too. Pierce wanted to do it right then, but James has a doctor's appointment in a couple of hours and didn't want to do it today. He will be coming back tomorrow at 3 to get it pulled. 

Khloe Mack and Gabe Peralta are coming to work tomorrow. Gabe is Khloe's uncle and Gabe is also Tom Peralta's son who just got out of prison not too long ago. Khloe just turned 16 and wants to earn some money towards getting her own car. James wants her to work inside but I told him no. I am going to hire Kim to help me with inside work. He needs to find something outside for Khloe to do. He finally relented. 

We left for town around noon for James's 1:15 appointment. After checking in James was sent down to wait for an x-ray. Just ahead of us in the x-ray waiting line was Johnny Wilhelm and his mom Sandra. I gave Sandra a big hug and we had a nice visit. I love the Wilhelm family and Sandra is a saint!

James no longer has to wear his boot. There is still a hairline fracture. We need to check back in six weeks. If it is not healed, Dr. Ellsworth may want to move the screws in the hardware in his leg that are close to the fracture. 

The first thing we did when we got to Walmart was mail Laura's second birthday card. Who knows what happened to the first one. I must have done something wrong on the envelope. 

I sent James in one direction to get Coke Zero and DPZ while I went to the other side of the store to get non-food items, such as another TV tray and several other items. I also got a steak and some more turkey links.

Across the street to get gas at $4.34 a gallon and two Polar Pops. We saw Kerri Halcomb in Circle K and she helped me clean up the soda on the floor that James spilt. 

We went through the drive-thru at Culver's. I got a chicken cashew salad and James got vanilla ice cream in a cup with a waffle cone turned upside down on top. James said the cold ice cream fells good on his rotten tooth. I forgot how much I love this salad!

James got a call today from someone who said they were on the Chase fraud prevention team. They asked James if he had Zelled money to someone we had sent money to only once. When James told them no, they told him that fraud had been committed and he was to tell no one. He needs to come in to Chase tomorrow morning and close our checking account and open a new one. He is not to talk to any tellers because they think someone in the bank is the culprit. They made him an appointment at 10 at the Show Low office. 

When James got off the phone and told me about this call and how he wasn't supposed to tell me, I told him it sounded like fraud to me and that I was going with him tomorrow. 

An hour or two later, I got a call from someone at Chase fraud prevention department. When I told Aron, the person I spoke to, he said he had no record of such call being made and said the first call was fraudulent. He said he has seen this happen before and when the new account is open the hackers take your money. James spoke with him for quite awhile to determine if he was telling the truth. Aron said he was going to freeze our account and that we needed to call the 1-800 number on the back of our debit card to have the freeze taken off the account. I told James I would take care of it in the morning. Aron is legit.

James told Pierce about our experience and he said the same thing happened to Susan only she went in and closed her account and opened a new one and was taken for $20,000. 

Clouds today, but no rain. Christmas movies: 2014 - "One Christmas Eve".

Darrel's family

 

Sunday, July 26th, 2026: A day of highs and lows, mostly highs, Jamesons' speak in sacrament meeting, Mikki Gilbert, my lesson, cookies a hit, Sister Jensen's prayer, "The Trouble with Christmas Mistletoe"

 

Indianapolis, Indiana

Temple #148.

Today was a mix of highs and some lows, but mostly highs. My low was my left knee that is so stiff I can barely bend it.

I got up around 4:30 and finished the outline for my lesson. I also added one more handout to my packet. This one comes from Preach My Gospel, Chapter 6: "Seek Christlike Attributes", 'A Pattern for Becoming More Christlike.' 

I wore my black dress today with my pearl necklace and pearl earrings. I matched Linda Stephens, as she had on a black dress with white pearls. 

I knew my new black belt had been delivered to the post office. We left early and I picked up my belt and wore it with my dress. It is stretchy and fit perfectly. I love it.

The first people we saw when we drove up to the church were Roger & Mikki Gilbert. I have not seen Mikki since before James's accident. She was in a wheelchair as she has had her foot amputated and doesn't yet have a prothesis. James got to speak with Mikki while I was setting up my room.

I set up for my lesson while James looked for someone from the Primary and Young Women's to give handouts to.

The Jamesons', Georgie, Jeanette, and Devin spoke in sacrament meeting. I especially enjoyed Brother Jameson's talk about how he changed his life to become active in the church again. I used his example of giving up TV programs he knew he shouldn't be watching if he wanted the Spirit in his life in my lesson. 

There were several people gone today but we also had lots of visitors, including Camrie Hunsaker Griffin, who participated in Relief Society.

Sister Jensen gave a beautiful opening prayer in Relief Society, inviting the Spirit to be with us. We are off and running. I had listed on the chalkboard Christlike characteristics mentioned in the lesson and in Preach My Gospel. In closing I challenged the sisters to choose one Christlike attribute they would like to develop in their life and work on it for the next month. I told the sisters that mine was going to be patience.

I felt like the lesson and discussion went well. Teresa Smith is in the temple prep class with Debbie Schwarz. The class is taught by Judy Hunter. I told Teresa I would save her and Debbie a handout and would bring it next week. She seemed excited. I am excited that Debbie is preparing to go to the temple.

Kim's cookies were a hit. I handed them out at the beginning of the lesson and the handouts at the end. Those I spoke to after the lesson:

Tina Allen, Camrie Griffin, Linda Price, Rosie texted me as did Sue Young, and Linda Stephens direct messaged me on Facebook.

Several sisters talked with James when he came in to help me load up my things and said they enjoyed the lesson. One of these was Cheryl Sedig, the RS president. Today was Cheryl's birthday. I have a card for her but I thought her birthday was the 29th. I am her ministering sister so I made an appointment to go see her this week and bring her card and a small gift. 

This evening we FaceTime with Charlie, Kacey, and Jared. Charlie asked me if I would speak on the Holy Ghost at her baptism. I told her I would love to! It's on the 29th of August. We had a nice visit with them. We always love seeing their faces and talking to them.

Kacey is doing something amazing for the Fears' family. She is making a memory quilt featuring Tracy Fears, the father and husband who passed away in the accident. A friend is helping her with the quilt and they are embroidering things said about him when he passed. His name will be in the middle of the quilt. I am anxious to see it when it is complete and think it is such a wonderful idea!

"Our belief in the Resurrection. . . encourages us to fulfill our family responsibilities in mortality. It helps us live together in love in this life."

 President Dallin H. Oaks

2 Chronicles 30:27

Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.

San Francisco and Max's Marathon

Said by Sheri

Go Max!

This is the dress Charlie got when they went to

San Diego. I love it!