July 31

Had a meeting in Mesa tonight at the Bishop's storehouse. Not being a real exciting reason for going to Mesa, we decided to turn it into a party and went to dinner at Oregano's with the Hardings, who also had to attend the training. That restaurant was amazing! Rod had the best angel hair pasta with marinara I have ever tasted. And my salad was one of the best I have ever munched down. Hardings go for the wings, which is a house speciality. I think we found a new favorite. Rod put it in his GPS and found that there is even one in Phoenix, so we won't have to go all the way to Mesa to go there!

July 30

Took the kids to the airport tonight so they can go on a river rafting trip with Ryan and Katie. They are so excited they can hardly stand it!

July 29

Laundry day. Yuck! But I sure am thankful I do not have to beat the clothes on a rock in the river and use homemade lye soap to get the job done!

July 28

Becca made the brownies and they were really good!

July 27

Had my new boss and his family over for Sunday dininer. They thoughtfully brought us a thank you gift. Really great smelling candle and lotion "Citrus Cilantro." Unique indeed! They have a very cute little family with children close to the ages of my grandkids. It made my arms ache for them. How I miss them!

July 25

It's been five years!

July 24

We had such a fun enrichment night at Lucy's home. We had pioneer stew and biscuits. Different sisters shared pioneer stories of their ancestors. I thought we would only have about 10 or 15 people show up because it was summer and vacation time. We had 28 sisters come! It was a great evening. Thanks to all those who worked so hard to make it a success!

July 23

Here is a pink hibiscus. I think they are just so beautiful!

July 21

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The teacher's mailboxes at school were GROSS! I think they had like 10 years worth of spills and dirt and grime. I cleaned them out today, and put new labels on them. The pictures really don't do it justice. It took me and hour and a half to spray down, clean and wipe out all those little cubbies. There were probably 120 of them. It sure looked alot better when it was all finished!

July 20

I was sitting in church and was overcome with such a sick feeling! I broke out in a sweat and had such intense abdominal pain. I thought to myself, "I just can't do this today!" I had to get up and leave and go home. I slept the whole morning and felt much better. Don't know what hit me!

July 19

Thunderbird Park - 6:30 am to try to beat the heat. It is about 90 degrees. We take a big drink before leaving the house so we are well hyrdrated. I love our Saturday morning hikes!

July 18

Today is sweet Opal's birthday. (see post from yesterday) She turned 87. She was out walking and got knocked over by a dog. She broke her arm!

We went to see the new movie, Mamma Mia! I loved it. The music was so passionate that I cried twice. The scenery was so gorgeous - I definitely want to go to Greece. Meryl Streep was amazing - she has always been a favorite actress of mine. I was totally carried away. I do enjoy musicals.

July 17

Opal, Myrt and Nancy.

Dinner theatre tonight at the Arizona Broadway Theatre. We saw "The Music Man." It was a evening of great intertainment, very fancy food, and wondeful friends. Thanks Nancy and Mert, for taking us with you!

July 16

Happy Birtday, dear Trudy......... Happy Birthday to you!

July 15

Up at 3:45 AM, leave home at 4:30, take this little chickie to the airport for her 6:10 departure, give our special hi-sign wave, get to work at 6:35 AM - get home at 5:30 PM = sad and tired mom. I miss her when she's gone!

July 14

Today I started my new job at Cordova Middle School as the school secretary. I am very excited about this new opportunity. Wish me luck!

July 11

Had to take Nick to Urgent Care this AM. He has "otitis externa" or an infected ear canal, AND "otitis media," which is an infected inner ear. He is so miserable. They have him on antibiotic drops and Amoxicillin. He has been in quite a bit of pain. Yes, he is a typical wussy man. :o) Oh well... Never has had an ear ache before. The Doc wrote him a note to miss work until Monday. Hope he gets well soon!

July 10

Today I got to check off one project on my list. I actually organized and cleaned my closet!

July 8

Look who's home! I have missed this girl!

Her suitcase did not make it home with her, and they brought it at 1:30 AM. Yes, there was a "DING DONG" at 1:30 AM. How Rude!

July 7

Tonight we rented "the Bucket List." It was excellent. They did drop an F-bomb, though. Why do they have to do that?

July 6

Nick wanted to play Monopoly. We did the short version, where you pass out the properties. I happened to get my favorites right off the bat (Nick dealth the cards, so I did not cheat!). The game was like OVER in like 10 minutes. I kicked their butts good!

July 5

This was the monsoon sky last night. Absolutely beautiful!

July 4

The sisters missionaries are so cute!

4th of July breakfast at the church.

It was soooooo good!

July 3

Another monsooon sky.

You can actually see the rain in the north falling.

July 2

Lucy and Carlos - I love being her visiting teacher.

There is an amazing spirit of love in their home.

July 1

Today it's official! I have lost 20 pounds! Hooray!!!!

Katie and Julie both beat me to this goal, but I was on vacation for 3 weeks. I am just thankful I did not gain 20 pounds with all the Cafe Rio, Paradise Bakery, California Pizza Kitchen, Mcdonald's, and Dodo indulgences. Thanks, Katie, for all the wonderful weight watcher meals you fixed when we were not eating out on the town. You saved me!