Journal Journal for December 2003

Marilee/Wendell AND Chantz/Irma married on 14 December 1991

01 December 2003 ......................... Monday - Christmas Season is here Marilee took David and Melissa to school, as she was going to work at Banner Desert Medical Center. I got the sprinklers working, took care of the horses [yes Blase is still with us], wound up and stored the winch, hooked the Christmas Lights to a Nighttime timer, doctored my ear, took pills, ate some leftover spagetti. WOW Purchased oil/filters, carrots, apples at Wal*Mart. Purchased RR Brake Hose for Silverado, at Cropper Chevrolet. Picked up Melissa at Casa Grande Middle School then we purchased "White Board" at Office Max. Washed Clothes, Washed Dishes, Changed Oil/Filter in Silverado/Impala. For FHE, Marilee, Melissa, Myself put Items that need to be done on a Blackboard, for all to see. David was at Blue Notes and we did not see him until after we had gone to bed. David is real good at coming in to see us and letting us know that he is home OK. That is one of the MANY good things about David.

02 December 2003 ................................ Tuesday Marilee leaves for work at about 05:30amMST. David, Melissa, Andrew, leave for School at about 06:45amMST. I work on Finances for awhile.

03 December 2003 ................................. Wednesday

04 December 2003 ................................. Thursday Marilee went to work at Banner Desert Medical Center. I drove the Impala and took David and Melissa to Seminary. Then I put the Silverado back together, with the BAD Parking Brake Shoes, and it works just fine!! I fed the horses, giving Blase an apple and some carrots. She is much better now and is walking all around her pen. She is walking slow and unsure of herself, but she is walking around. Marilee called me because she is working with State Farm Insurance, and needed some information off from the Hyundai. It was nice to hear her voice.

05 December 2003 ................................. Friday Marilee drives the Silverado to Banner Desert Medical Center. I work on the Malibu. The Malibu has had a problem for sometime now. Whenever the brakes are applied the car shakes like crazy! I machined the Rotors and put new Linings on the Front Brakes. Now the Malibu brakes work properly and are a comfort and pleasure to use. I replaced the Hazard Flasher Switch. Now the Hazard Flashers AND the Turn Signals work correctly and work EVERYTIME you ask them to. That Hazard Flasher cost $40.00 and it can ONLY be purchased from Chevrolet!! When I pick up Melissa, from Casa Grande Middle School, at 03:45pmMST, I have the Instrument Panel pulled apart and parts laying all over inside the car. Melissa has to sit in the back seat! We drive to Cropper Chevrolet, where I purchase the Hazard Flasher Switch. It is the last one they have and it is $40.00!!! When Marilee arrives home I have the Malibu back together. We have a nice walk together out to feed Blase and Orion. At 06:30pmMST Melissa and I leave for Casa Grande High School. I leave her there so she can attend "Nutcracker" that is being put on by Students at her school. I work at Clerk's Office till I go to get Melissa at 09:30pmMST. We go back to Clerk's office but then get a call from David who is ready to go home from his shift at Desert Valley Care Center so we pick him up at McDonald's.

06 December 2003 ................................. Saturday Marilee leaves for work at about 6am and she takes David to Desert Valley Care Center, on her way.

07 December 2003 ................................. Sunday - Pearl Harbor Day We must never forget What Happened on 7 December 1941 and what that lead to. We were attacked by Japan ................ resulting in the complete defeat of Japan by US. 911 Was Worse than Pearl Harbor On 11 September 2001 - We were attacked by Al - Qaeda. A little more complicated since Al - Qaeda is not a "Country", like Japan was, but, so far, Afghanistan AND Iraq [Al - Qaeda Helpers] have been completely defeated, and if they don't pay attention, other Al - Qaeda Helpers are also going to be going down to defeat!! Interesting thing is, these are NOT very smart people. They will not learn and they will keep it up till they are totally defeated. They just don't "Get It". Marilee goes to work in Mesa. David, Melissa, Andrew, Myself go to the Casa Grande Stake Center for Stake Conference. It was a wonderful conference and we got there plenty early to be sitting Front and Center. I am sooooo glad that we did not miss this Stake Conference. Our visiting General Authority was Michael Mueller, who lives in Tucson. When Conference was over, at Noon, David drove the Silverado home while I stayed to do Clerk Work. Members were coming in for "Tithing Settlement" and Brother Carter and Myself were assisting Bishop Cozart get that done. Marilee stopped by, on her way home from work, and took me home with her. Brother Grover had come in to relieve me. At home we picked up David and Melissa, then drove to the Lara's for our Annual Christmas Dinner. It was VERY Good, as usual. Then we went to the Stake Center for the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional. We got there, just as it finished, but it had been taped so we got to watch it anyhow.

08 December 2003 ................................. Monday It is cold, windy, cloudy........................... Marilee goes to work, in Mesa, and I take David and Melissa to school. I take care of the animals and wash clothes and wash dishes and clean house..........................

09 December 2003 ................................. Tuesday I spend a few hours at the Clerk's Office, this evening, helping Bishop Cozart with Tithing Settlement.

10 December 2003 ................................. Wednesday For Mutual tonight, David and Melissa, go with the Mutual to the Temple where they get to see the remodeled Visitors Center and the Temple Grounds [all the trees that are being cut down because of termites], the Christmas Lights, which are now on.

11 December 2003 ............................ Thursday - Tim's Birthday Tim was born on this day in 1960. It was 29 degrees this moring. I called to tell Tim "Happy Birthday" but he was at work. I had a really nice talk with Sue. She is always such a pleasure to talk to. I spent a long time on the phone with American Funds, the holder of My 401K account. Much time wasted trying to get in touch with right person, Mark Faulds, who I never did make contact with. At least now I have a name to ask for, tomorrow. I picked up Melissa from school at 03:45pmMST. I was already dressed in my Sunday go to Meetin Clothes, because I was going to take here home then go right back to the Clerk's Office for Tithing Settlement. About a mile out of Casa Grande I received a call from Marilee, telling me just got off from work and is just leaving the building. I tell her where I am and that I am now going to turn around, go to the Clerk's Office and she can pick up Melissa there. She does and that all works out very well. Marilee brings me a couple of Hamburger, from Wendy's, and I sure do enjoy that. Bishop Cozart and I have a talk about the Mutual going to the Temple Grounds, last night, and some of the observations from that. About the time we are done with Tithing Settlement, for the night, David shows up at the Clerk's Office and he then rides home with me. When we walk of of the Stake Center, it is raining and blowing, and it does so, all the way to Paradise.

12 December 2003 ................................ Friday - Joshua's Birthday Joshua Micha Smith was born on this day in 1980. That made me a Grandfather. It would be a year before I got so see him, because he was in Arizona and I was in Utah and I was toooooo broke to travel to Arizona. This morning the Telephone is not working, because of the Rain Storm last night. When Marilee went to work at Banner Desert, she took David and Melissa to Seminary/School. Marilee will also bring Melissa home from school. I spent several hours getting the phone working after the rain storm last night. Hopefully, this time, I got it fixed is a way that it will not quit again in the next rainstorm. Now there no external phone connections. Now all connection are either in a building or in a phone box installed by Qwest. This evening Levi came to visit us for awhile. He was on his way from Yuma to Tucson and he came here to pick up Melissa and take her with him. We had a very nice visit. We always do, when Levi comes and I thank Levi for that.

13 December 2003 .......................... Saturday Marilee and I had a wonderful day today. We went to Casa Grande where we got so Prescriptions for My High Blood Pressure. We went to Bank One to deposit some money that I can use for Christmas. Wal*Mart where we purchased some Cat and Dog food and also some people food. Also we got a "Futon" couch and a ceiling fan. Briefly to the Clerk's Office for some printouts of our Paid Tithing, so we can be prepared for Tithing Settlement, tomorrow. There was some BIG deal going on at the Stake Center?? All the Bishops were there. Lots and Lots of people were around. I did not ask what it was that was going on. On the way home, we got three(3) bales of hay at Wuertz Farm. Rachel and Thomas came and spent the afternoon with us. We all worked together to assemble the new "Futon" couch that we had just purchased. It went well and it looks good. By all of Us, I mean - Marilee, David, Andrew, Rachel, Thomas, Myself. Then we assembled and installed the new Ceiling Fan. That did not go quite as well, but we did get it done.

14 December 2003 ...Anniversary of Wendell/Marilee AND Chantz/Irma... Sunday - Saddam Hussein Captured today!That is good News At about noon, Levi brought Melissa home, from Tucson. We had a really nice visit and got to take some pictures of Levi's new Toyota Convertable. Marilee, David, Melissa, Myself, attended Tithing Settlement with Bishop Cozart today. At 7pmMST We attended "The Messiah" put on by the Casa Grande Community at the Casa Grande Stake Center. It was really good.

15 December 2003 .................................. Monday Marilee went to work at Banner Desert and I took Melissa/David to Seminary/School. I put a little propane in the flat tires on the 40' flatbed trailer in preparation for Christmas Caroling. I cleaned out the Silverado bed, then pulled the flatbed around to the air compressor and set all the tires to 50psi. I fastened down some of the floorboards that have come loose. Put the Triangular "Farm Implement" sign on the back of the flatbed. Picked up Melissa from Casa Grande Middle School. I rode Orion for about 45 minutes, all within his pen. After I have ridden him a few times, that way, then I will ride him in the open. I got a call from David, saying that Rachel had locked her key in her car, could I bring to them the extra keys that he has and that are located in our kitchen window. But before I left Paradise to drive to the High School, they were able to pick the lock and get into the car so I did not have to go.

16 December 2003 .............................. Tuesday David and Melissa rode to school with Andrew. Marilee drove the Malibu to Desert Banner for he day of work. I do some more work on the floorboard of the 40' Flatbed trailer. My left ear is nearly totally plugged up and has been for a couple months now. So I just do most of my hearing with my right ear. In fact I discovered that I can now hear nothing at all, out of my Left Ear. About 1pm I went to the Clerk's office and began to prepare for Tithing Settlement tonight. I was going to go get Melissa and bring her to the Clerk's Office but David called and said he could go get her and the Rachel would bring them both to the Clerk's Office to await the arrival of Marilee as she is on her way home to Paradise. That worked out quite well. We had a lot of Ward Members in for Tithing Settlement tonight and that went very well.

17 December 2003 .................................. Wednesday It was 18 degrees on the temp gage outside our bedroom cube, this morning. David drove the Malibu to school and Marilee is here doing lots of Christmas stuff today. I moved the Christmas lights from the fence to the 40' Flatbed Trailer in preparation for the "Hay Ride" and "Christmas Caroling" tonight. I put the all the way around the trailer, hanging them just under the outside edge using hooks that I made out of pieces of Coat Hangers. I pulled the Trailer to Wuertz Farm where I purchased ten(10) bales of hay and put on it, then I pulled it to the Bishop's house in Arizona City. I rode Orion for about 45 minutes. I sure was tired after that and Orion was covered with sweat. I have decided that Orion will be gelded. He is just too much to handle, now that he is a big stallion. I am afraid that someone is going to get hurt and that someone may be ME!. I fixed some water leaks. I found that the Impala Battery is bad. I took it out and gave it a deep charge, hoping to revive it. The Mutual went Christmas caroling this eveing. It was great. I went early, to the Bishop's, where I got the 40 foot, flatbed, trailer all ready to go. With the use of the Inverter furnished by Les Grover and the Impala Battery furnished by me, I had that Trailer Lit up real nice. There were colored lights all the way around the trailer. The Impala Battery ran down after about an hour, but is sure was nice till then. The trailer was full of kids including David, Melissa, Rachel, Ashley. Bishop Cozart rode with me, in the Silverado, and gave me directions at to where to go. Les Grover drove behind me, so noone could hit the rear end of the trailer, in his NEW Dodge 4 door, 4 wheel drive, Dulie Deisel. I am so sorry that I forgot to take any pictures!!!!!

18 December 2003 ............................... Thursday twenty(20) degrees this morning...............BBBbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr David and Melissa went to school, in the Malibu today. We learned that the Malibu battery is bad, when David could not start the car and had to get a jump. Onyx had five(5) new puppies today.

19 December 2003 .................................... Friday I put a new battery in the Malibu today. After driving the Children to school, with the Malibu and it's old battery, I then stopped by Wal*Mart and purchased a new battery, which I installed after I got home. I went to Dr. Frederick R. Stack, MD, our Banner Health Doctor. He said that My Right Ear is OK but My Left Ear is so plugged up he cannot see the drum at all. That rest of the day was very bad and I don't want to talk about it!!

20 December 2003 .................................... Saturday I feel very bad, Mentally, Physically, Spiritually, and I don't want to talk about it. I got to feeling better as the day went on. Marilee and I went to Casa Grande and did some Christmas shopping and we got the Medications that Dr. Stack prescibed for my left ear. Marilee washed out my left ear and you don't even want to hear about what she got out of there!!, Now I can hear with my left ear. I sure do like that Marilee!! Orion is now a Gelding. Marilee and I made that happen today.

21 December 2003 ................................ Sunday We had Scripture Reading at 01:00pmMST and it was really good. We read several chapters of Revelations. I love that book!! At 01:30pmMST we drove to the Arizona City Ward, meeting in the Casa Grande Stake Center. I drove the Silverado and Marilee rode with me. David drove the Malibu and Melissa rode with him. Marilee taught the Gospel Doctrine Class today and the Subject matter was the Book of Revelations. It was a wonderful class. I stayed after Church, to work on "Tithing Settlement" with Bishop Cozart and Brother Carter. Marilee and David and Melissa came home in the Malibu. When I got home, Marilee was there and David/Melissa were gone to "Fireside" at Bishop Cozart's house. I ate some wonderful tacos that marilee had made and some of the BEST Oatmeal Cookies that I have ever had, that Melissa had made. They might have been "THE BEST" Oatmeal Cookies that have EVER BEEN made????

22 December 2003 .................................. Monday Marilee went to work today. For Family Home Evening, David made three(3) cornbreads. Then David, Melissa and I wrapped the Hot Cornbreads, in a towel, and walked them over to our neighbors: David/Amanda Johnson, David/Nadine Pearson, Sharon/Bobby Jernigan Rachel was here and she walked with us.

23 December 2003 .............................. Tuesday - Joseph Smith's Birthday We sure had a good time ........here in Paradise. today. This is our annual "Wendell/Marilee Eyring Jr. Family" Christmas Party! Attending were: Marilee and Myself My Father, Wendell Eyring, My Sisters Twila, Pat Tim, Amber, Amy, Angie, Austin [we missed Sue/Alina] Darren, Julie, Jared, Matthew, Brandon, Courtney, Lauren, Kelli, a friend Hank, Michelle, Emily, Jessica, Lindsay, Luke David, Rachel, Brennan Melissa Darren brought 3 Dirt Bikes and 1 Quad. Everybody had fun with those. I had the 40' Hay Rack ready to go, so we loaded everybody that was not on the dirt bikes and went for a big ole "Hay Rack Ride". First we went over to see our "Dead Horse - Shag". She is still there, in the ditch, where she died, a few years ago. Then as we traveled about 5 miles per hour all through the desert around here, the dirt bikes kept whizzing by us and all were have a great time. From time to time, Darren would come up beside the 40' trailer and put the little kid he was carrying onto the trailer and take a different kid from the trailer to the dirt bike. It was a lot of fun for everybody and we kept going for a long time. Finally we stopped to eat. Marilee had goe to Wal*Mart, Casa Grande, and picked up the 6' sub that we ordered last Saturday. As we were sitting down to eat, My Sister Twila Eyring, drove up with My Father, Wendell Eyring, and My Sister Pat Eyring. So we had a really grand time with so much family to visit with. That lasted a long time and was loved by all. Everyone really enjoyed looking at all the pictures that Marilee has posted on our Cooling "Up Duct". Then Dad left and we went for another Hayrack/dirtbike ride. Gift exchange was next and that was really a lot of fun. We finished off with a big bon-fire and it was cold enough for that to feel really good. Then everybody packed up and left. It had been a really good day. Please NOTE: The following people were NOT here today: Wendy, Bubba, Joshua, Lara, Marcus, Traci, Isaac, Jordan Sue, Alina Shari, Butch, Rachel, Rebecca, Saraiah, Hanna, Seth Tiffany, Keven, Tara, Taner, Talia Levi Ann, Rob Bridgette Sara I wish they could have been here and they would have loved it if they could have been here.

24 December 2003 ................................... Wednesday - Christmas Eve Today I did my Christmas Shopping. Melissa went with me.

25 December 2003 ......................... Thursday - Christmas Day 2003 Marilee is gone to work by the time any of us get up this morning Bridgette is here and she wraps the gifts that I have gotten for Marilee. Melissa bakes a bunch of Oatmeal cookies and puts them onto three different plates. Bridgette and Melissa leave to do some Christmas Shopping. David and I take the Cookies to our Home Teachees: Jack/Eva Haines, Deann Lara, Sonja Auguino. Just after leaving Sonja's, coming North on Main Street, as we are crossing "Jimmie Kerr Blvd.", We happen to see Tim/Sue and Family. They see us so we stop along the road and have a nice visit. Tim/Sue are on their way to Sierra Vista to visit with Kit/Sandra and then go to Mexico. Tim had stopped at Paradise to get him Camera Battery Charger and just missed everybody. Then when he left Paradise he had taken a wrong turn of he would not have even been in Eloy, where we were. By the time David and I returned to Paradise, Marilee was home from work. Soon Bridgette and Melissa arrived. We rested and visted then voted and decided to Fix Dinner, then open Presents. So, while Marilee enjoyed the rare opportunity to just sit on the couch and visit with her daughters, David and I prepared Dinner. Well Meliss did start the Potatoes baking in the oven. I made a salad and coached David through 4 T-Bone Steaks and one Filet. The Filet was for me! I also made a Jello [Orange with grated carrots] and some Peas and some Corn. The meal was a total success and enjoyed by all. David felt really good about having done this for his family and about the things he learned that he can use in the future. Then we went to the opening of Gifts.............There were many many gifts. Bridgette and David, had earned their own money and done their own Christmas Shopping and they felt soooo good about giving and seeing the joy that created for others. This was truly a wonderful Christmas Day! On the Phone we visited with Brent, Grandmother, Levi, Ann, others that I never even knew about. One of the Gifts was a DVD Player with a seperate Volume Controls for 1) Speaker 2) Headset. That worked out great, we put the Headset on Me so I could turn the volume WAY UP, while the rest of the family could enjoy the movie "Pirates of the Caribean" at a more normal volume level. The Sunset was so spectacular that we went up on the Roof and sat there, in the cold, and enjoyed the 360 degree Show and took some pictures of it.

26 December 2003 ............................. Friday When we awoke this morning, it was raining. I hurried to cover up the Hay, that is still on the 40' Flatbed Trailer, and to cover up the Concrete, that is still in the back of the Silverado. That Concrete is a Christmas Gift to Marilee!!!! It is Windy, Cold and Wet today. Grandmother came to visit today and we really liked that. She brought the stuff for a Fruit Salad and then made it for us. We liked that too. Warner and Debbie came at about Sundown. We had a very nice visit with them. This was the first time they had seen how we installed the cabinets that they had given us.

27 December 2003 ........................... Saturday I am falling so far behind that this December Journal is not coming close to showing all that is going on. I will try to catch up later, but when done later, it is not the same. [frown] Marilee worked all day today. Levi was here this morning, when I got up. David, Levi and I had a good time today. We played horse shoes, fed the animals, and talked a lot. It is very Cold and Windy today Levi and David played Chess. I almost finished getting the transmission out of the Polaris, but I need a "Driven Clutch Puller" and the Polaris stores are closed today. The Pearson's, Nadine and David, returned our PiePlate today. The one that we had baked CornBread in and took to them, last Monday evening. They returned it with a Cake in it, all decorated up with "Happy Hollidays". Nadine stayed in the car as David brought the cake to our door, so I went out to the car and thanks her for the Cake and the Plate and wished them a very Merry Christmas. About 3pm, Levi and David left for Tucson. They had the top down on Levi's Toyota Convertible!! And it is very Cold and Windy today. Levi later told me that they kept the top down, all the way to Tucson!![bbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr] I then went to the Clerk's Office and work on Ward Clerk Stuff. When Marilee came home from work, Her and I are the only ones here. Marilee so sooooo sick and soooo tired that we eat a bit, then go to bed.

28 December 2003 ........................................... Sunday ................. 12 DEGREES this morning Only Marilee and Wendell are here this morning, then Marilee leaves for work. It is 12 degrees this morning and the Inverted Siphon Drain is frozen and the Hot Water Pipes are frozen. So we have no Hot Water and the Bathtub will not drain. So Marilee did not get that "Hot Bath" that she had hoped to get, before going to work. I went to the Clerk's Office at about 11amMST. I get a lot of important Clerk Work done, before Church starts Marilee gets there, just as Sacrament Meeting is starting. The Farr Family of the speakers today and I am really impressed with that family. My testimony was strengthened, and I like that. Marilee teaches the Gospel Doctrine Class. She finishes up the New Testemant/Revelations. It was wonderful. AGAIN, if I had not know the Church was true before today, I know it now. Thank you Marilee!! I love you all the more!! After church, I help with the Donations and also with the Tithing Settlement. When I arrive home, it is only Marilee and Wendell!! You know, as much as I love the children and as much of a pleasure as it is to have them around, I really love those moments when it is just Wendell and Marilee. Marilee has some Potatoes baking, so I cook up a could of Breakfast Steaks and a pan of Cut Corn and we have a wonderful Supper, together. Later a lot of children arrive! Levi, Ann, Rob, Bridgette, David, Melissa. We then have a wonderful Evening. Christmas all over again. Levi give Marilee the CD that he has prepared, doing the Life Story of each of us, in Photos set to Music. It is like Professionally done and it is wonderful. Thank You LEVI.

29 December 2003 ................................................ Monday ......... 15 degrees this morning

30 December 2003 ....................................... Tuesday It only got down to 30 degrees, this morning!! Marilee was home all day. She and David watched a lot of "24", that we received for Christmas. I simply do not have time for that and I kept working. Later I asked them to tell me what happened and they did. In the afternoon I went to Casa Grande where I picked up a prescription for my "sweet" blood, gassed up the Silverado and a 5gal can, exchange dirty shirts for clean shirts, returned video to blockbusters, spent the rest of the day at the Clerk's Office. I tried, all the way until 8pmMST, to contact Church HQ to correct an error in our FIS. They were too busy to talk to me. I did get a lot of important FIS work done, in preparation for EOY. Bishop Cozart came in and did Tithing Settlement with three families, including his own. We then did a Deposit.

31 December 2003 ....................................... Wednesday Goodbye to 2003 This morning it is a couple degrees warmer, 34, than it was last night, plus the stars have dissappeared!! I better get the hay and the dry Concrete covered!! It was cold and cloudy all day. Never did really Rain, but I did get the Hay and the Dry Concrete covered. I worked on Polaris, went to CMCO, Polaris Dealer, got some parts, went to Clerk's Office and worked on Checking Account Statement for several hours today. Rachel was here, with Dave, most of the day. When Marilee came home from work, I fixed a dinner of Hamburger, Baked Potatoe, Corn, Super Salad, Egg Nog. We ate as we watch "Hatari" with John Wayne, on a DVD, on our new DVD Player. I think this is one of John Wayne's best movies. When Midnight came around, Marilee and I were long since fast asleep. Anyhow, Welcome to 2004!!

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First Edited: 02 January 2004 Last Edited: 02 December 2004 - by Wendell