Journal for May of 2004

Please tell me about any "ERRORS and/or OMISSIONS" so I can fix them. wendelleyring@yahoo.com

01 May 2004 .................................................. Saturday 6am I started a fire in our new BBQ pit. 10am Marilee and I lowered into the BBQ a Chicken and a Turkey, and covered the pit. It was 6pm, 8 hours later, as the Lara's and the Mitchell's were arriving, when I uncovered the BBQ with the Chicken and the Turkey in it. I lifted the Meat out, moved it to the table and uncovered it. It was PERFECT !!!! Then I got the Mitchells and Laras started on 1) throwing horseshoes, 2) riding Polaris, 3) riding horse [Blase], 4) shooting the Shotgun at Clay targets. It was almost as much fun throwing the targets as it was shooting the targets. It was a wonderful evening......nice and cool.........good friends........food food. It was one of those gettogethers that you kind of dream about and hope it will happen someday. We all sang "Happy Birthday" to the Lara's beccause both DeAnn and Angela had Birthday's, during April.

02 May 2004 .................................................. Sunday Marilee, Melissa, Wendell went to the Arizona City Ward Meeting at 12 Noon. Marilee did a wonderful job of teaching the Gospel Doctrine Class about Ammon, Zeniff, Noah, Limhi, Mosiah. After the meetings were over and Clerking work was done, we [Marilee, David [who just got back from Orlando, Florida], Melissa, Wendell] drove to Darren's in Mesa for "Taco Sunday". It was a wonderful gettogether and also attending were Dad, Pat, Twila.

03 May 2004 .................................................. Monday Marilee went to work at Banner Desert, I took Megan to Seminay/School. We had a wonderful "Family Home Evening" today. David taught the lesson and I could not help but think of how, One Year From NOW, David will be on his mission and he will be teaching LOTS of Lessons!

04 May 2004 ...................................... Tuesday Shortly after Marilee left to work at Banner Desert, I left here with David/Melissa, picked up Megan, took them to Seminary/School. Well, Melissa stayed with me and we drove to Mesa/Dr. Genta, for check up on Melissa's infected left ear. We got there a bit early so we ate breakfast sandwiches at McDonalds first. Dr. Genta says her ear is getting better, continue the drops and that should do it. He called it "Swimmer's Ear". Tonsils......well they probably need to come out, when school is out. I got Melissa to school at about 10am........ I did not go home before picking her up from school. I did some clerk work. I got a haircut. I got oil and filter for the Silverado, from Wal*Mart. I had "Tire Pros" rotate the Silverado Tires. After picking up Melissa and on the way home I bought 2 bales of hay from Wuertz Farm. The pasture just is NOT growing enough to support the horses so I put them in pens and started feeding them hay. needlestick

05 May 2004 ..................................... Wednesday Marilee goes to work at Banner Desert. I take David/Melissa/Megan to Seminary/School. Then I take Melissa to Walgreens so she can get some plastic Utensils for her class today [they are celebration "Cinco de Mayo"]. I change the Oil/Filter and I repair the "Air Dam" on the Silverado. Getting it ready for it's trip to Salt Lake City, Utah, tomorrow. At 3pm I drove to Casa Grande High School, where I picked up David. We then drove to Casa Grande Mountain so as to find the "Shooting Range". At first we drove up onto the mountain, from the west side, all the way to the locked gate. Then we drove south east on the angled road that really looks more like a sandy wash, and we found three(3) shooting ranges. Then we went to Casa Grande Middle School and picked up Melissa. We took her to the center and/or Police shooting range where Brother Wilson was opening up. He is their instructor for tonight. When Sister Mitchel brought Sara and Mariah, for the Mutual Activity, She asked if I would bring Sara and Mariah home and, of course, I said yes. David and I then went to Arizona City, Tumbleweed Market, where we got some water and Ice Cream. We visited for awhile then I took David to the home of Paul Grover for his Mutual Activity tonight. I drove back to the shooting range. I got to see Melissa shooting and she was doing a really good job!!! I was allowed to shoot a few rounds, in one of the 38 Specials, and I loved it. Melissa then took Sara and Mariah home. While there I help Sister Mitchell dig up some "baby" Palm Trees that she is giving to us. Also I looked at the Tractor Tires that Tom has said that we can have. Melissa and I then drove to Paul Grover's house, where we picked up David then drove home to Paradise. As Marilee and David and Myself were planting the new Palm Trees, Brent arrived from Tucson, then Levi arrived from Yuma. They are staying the night here, then going, in the Silverado, to Salt Lake City, Utah.

06 May 2004 ............................................. Thursday At 03:30amMST the Silverado left for Salt Lake City, Utah. In it were, Marilee, Levi, Melissa, Brent. They are going to attend Sara's Graduation and to bring Sara's belongings back to Arizona. I took David/Megan to Seminary/School. Then I made a deposit at Bank One, fueled up the Malibu, exchanged dirty shirts for clean ones. Back in Paradise, I fed the dogs and horses, then watered the plants, especially the little baby Palm Trees that Debbie Mitchell gave us, yesterday. I am so very tired I really cannot explain it. So tired that eating/sleeping does not help. So tired IT HURTS!. About 5pmMST I got a call from Marilee. They are safely in Salt Lake City. Marilee drove to Flagstaff, then Levi drove to Salt Lake City. Their only close call was on the Freeway, approaching Salt Lake City, a pickup, in front of them, lost a chair, out of the bed and onto the Freeway. Levi was able to avoid having a wreck and I am glad of that!! David drives the Malibu to CAC. When he returns to paradise, we have a really nice visit, till time to go to bed.

07 May 2004 ............................................. Friday No news is good new................so, since I did not hear from Marilee, today, I know that she is OK. I spent a lot of time watering the new Palm Trees today............... Only David and Myself here, in paradise, today. David drives the Malibu to Seminary/School. About Noon I take off for Superior and the Father/Son Outing of the Gilbert 12th Ward with Hank and Luke. It was about an hours drive and it was a wonderful experience to be with Hank/Luke and the Brethren of his ward. David goes on and Priest's outing with the Arizona City Ward to Picacho Mountain.

08 May 2004 ................................................. Saturday I awoke this morning, near Superior, at the Father/Son Outing of the Gilbert 12th Ward, with Hank and Luke.

09 May 2004 ................................................. Sunday Happy Mother's Day to the Eleven(11) Mothers that have most influenced my life for good: Verda, Jenny, Virginia, Marilee, Sharon, Wendy, Sue, Julie, Michelle, Shari, Tiffany.

10 May 2004 .......................................... Monday

11 May 2004 .......................................... Tuesday At 6pm I attended a meeting at the Eloy High School Library, about the proposal to put a new Prison over here at 87 and Hanna.

12 May 2004 .......................................... Wednesday Marilee goes to work at Banner Desert and I take David/Melissa/Megan to Seminary/School.

13 May 2004 .......................................... Thursday Marilee goes to work at Banner Desert and I take David/Melissa/Megan to Seminary/School. Finally, no wind today..............It had been blowing for two or three weeks!!!!

14 May 2004 .......................................... Friday Marilee goes to work at Banner Desert and I take David/Melissa/Megan to Seminary/School. After dropping them off, I gassed up at Safeway then bought some Shotshells at Wal*Mart. At Wal*Mart, when coming back out to the Silverado, in the Parking lot there was some crazy guy standing outside his van way over in the NorthWest Corner of the parking lot, noone else around, that was yelling, I could not tell what he was saying, and slamming the door, the RR door, to the Van. Obviously he was quite angry at someone in the Van. This kept going on and although I could not see another person, I became alarmed that someone was being abused......he kept yelling and slamming the doors on the van, and was alarmed that the "someone" might be a child, so I drove over there. There were no other cars in that area of the parking lot. As I slowing approached the Van, driving my Silverado, a woman came out of the Van and starting walking away from the Van towards me, in the Silverado. The man did not chase her but was threatening and hollering. She came up to the passenger window which I rolled down and plead with me to get her out of there and take her to the Holiday Inn where she could get some help. I said "get in". The Crazy guy was yelling at us as we drove away, but he did not chase us. I dropped her off at one of the streets behind the Holiday Inn, I think it was 12th street. That happened at about 8am this morning and I am writing this accout of the event, at 5pm on the same day. It was not till she was in the truck that I noticed that she was carrying a bottle of liquor...................made me wish I had NOT volunteered to give her a ride!!

15 May 2004 .......................................... Saturday What a beautiful day this turned out to be!!!!! No wind today!! We built a big fire in the BBQ Pit. It burned down to about a foot of coals then wee put in the pit a large put containing: 3 Pork Roasts and 2 Beef Briskitts. We got the pit completely convered by 8am. Ann and Rob and Daisy arrived at about 11am. Levi and Bridgette arrived at about 1pm. After that came: Grandmother, Laree and all of her family, Kevin and all of his family, Angela and all of her family, Alan and all of his family. Eric brought his QUAD. Marc brought his QUAD. Our QUAD was running. Lots of QUAD riding for all. Most everyone participated in 12 Gauge Shotgun shooting, at flying Clay Targets. Marc brought a .22 Rifle so we got to shoot that. Many walked the 55 gallon Drums that I had here. A few tried the Barrel Roping that I had prepared for them. I had parked the 40 foot flatbed trailer near the firepit and tables and the kids loved playing on it and the adults loved sitting on it. At 6pm David shoveled the dirt off from the BBQ Pit and I pulled the big pot out of it and opened it up. The meat was GREAT. Very delicious and tender. There were lots of food items that people had brought. Great eating, visiting, QUAD riding!!. We never did get around to riding horses!!!

16 May 2004 ........................................................ Sunday We attended Arizona City Ward at 12NOON. Afterwards I helped Jay Lara and Ray Donaldson with donations. I stayed and attended the Commemoration of the Restoration of the Priesthood, broadcast from SLC into the Casa Grande Stake Center.

17 May 2004 ........................................................ Monday For Family Home Evening we watch Last October's General Conference. David went to Blue Notes.

18 May 2004 ........................................................ Tuesday Marilee went to work at Banner Desert. I took David/Melissa/Megan to Seminary/School. I moved the wood pile, cleaning up that area.

19 May 2004 ........................................................ Wednesday Marilee went to work at Banner Desert. David drove the Silverado to Seminary/School.

20 May 2004 ........................................................ Thursday

21 May 2004 ........................................................ Friday This evening was the Honor Awards banquet at Casa Grande Union High School. We attended and watched David and Rachel and many others that we know, received honors for their academic achievments.

22 May 2004 ........................................................ Saturday IRRIGATION today. This evening we went to David's LAST "Blue Notes" concert. It was really good.

23 May 2004 ........................................................ Sunday Marilee, David, Melissa, Myself, attend the Arizona City Ward at 12Noon. Sacrement Meeting was really great. I was especially impressed by a Vocal Solo done by Michelle Cozart. Marilee taught the Gospel Doctrine Class. It was mostly about Alma the younger and his conversion. Great story and Marilee handled the class wonderfully. I was the instructor in High Priests Class. Did not do as well as Marilee but it did go well. We talked about "Blessings of the Priestood". Donations really took a long time, because of the girls camp money and the Pizza money that went towards that. Then it was to Paradise for some "wonderful" Tacos prepared by Marilee. I loved that!!{hehehe} David then drove us back to the Stake Center for the Seminary Graduation. We then took Sara/Myriah home where we visited with Sis. Mitchell for a bit, then home to Paradise, again.

24 May 2004 ........................................................ Monday Marilee goes to work at Banner Desert/David drives the Silverado and goes to school, taking Melissa along. I pump the, left over, water, out of the IRRIGATION Ditch, onto the pasture. Otherwise it would just evaporate and be wasted!!

25 May 2004 ........................................................ Tuesday After taking Melissa to school, for her last day of school this year, I spend the day at the Clerk's Office, catching up. I get the April 2004 Statement Reconciled. Back here at Paradise, I move the horses back onto the pasture. I trim the front hooves of Blase. I put some alcohol on the right front foot of Oreo. It has become infected somehow. In the evening, Marilee, David, Melissa, Myself, go to Bishop Cozart's house. David and Melissa each have an interview with Bishop Cozart. Marilee and I show our house plans to Bishop so as to get some input from him on how to proceed. When we get home from Bishop's, Ann is here for Melissa's Graduation tomorrow. Ann spends the night with us.

26 May 2004 ........................................................ Wednesday Melissa Graduates from Casa Grande Middle School Marilee does not go to work today!! Ann is here today, for Melissa's Graduation. Alway nice and pleasant, to have Ann here. Meliss's Graduation is at Casa Grande Union High School. We drop off Melissa at Casa Grande Middle School, where she gets with her Peers and Teachers then they are bussed to Casa Grande Union High School. We next see here, when she is marching into the Hall where the Graduation takes place. After the Graduation We go "Out to Eat" at Chili's, in Casa Grande. Ann pays for Melissa's meal and we have a really good time, arriving there a couple minutes befor Chili's opens at 11am. During the after noon we doctor Oreo's infected RF Foot. We muzzel him, so he wont' bite us then a lot of us hold him down while Marilee inspects and disinfects Oreo's RF foot. We leave him tied by the door, for the night. Marilee and I got to the home of Sonya Anguiano. Sonya is there and shows us what it is she needs to hook up the GAS to here dryer. The wonderful news was that Sonya said she is going to Church, next Sunday, and needs a ride. WOW, David and I have been working and hoping for about two(2) years and now it is going to happen!!

27 May 2004 ............................................ Thursday David went to school for Graduation Practice. He graduates tomorrow. After the practice He and Rachel come here for awhile. Today I heard that Sister Hardy had fallen and was hurt so bad she had to go to the Hospital. In the evening I pull the 40' Flatbed Trailer to Micthell's place where Tim Mitchell gives us two big tractor tires. He helps me load them on the trailer. On the way back to Paradise, it gets dark and a trailer tire goes flat, so I leave the trailer in the desert on the north side of Houser Road, between Toltec and Sunland Gin.

28 May 2004 ........................................... Friday David Graduates from High School Today Marilee and I went to get the 40' Foot trailer, with the big tractor tires on it. It was right where I left it, in the desert on the north side of Houser Road, between Toltec Road and Sunland Gin Road. We said goodbye to Onyx today. She was just getting too mean. I talked to Sister Mitchell, RS President, and learned that Sister Hardy DID fall down. Cause was that she fainted. Suffered injuries to her head. Back home today. We take all the furniture out of Our Bedroom/Cube and then almost finish putting in the Drywall, before it is time to go to David's Graduation. We attend the Graduation of David this eveing. It is at the Football Field of Casa Grande Union High School.

29 May 2004 ............................................ Saturday Here, in Paradise, this morning, are Wendell, Marilee, Levi, Bridgette, David, Melissa, Brent. Brent leaves for Tucson at about 06:00amMST.

31 May 2004 ................... Monday Melissa spends the day with the Mitchell's at Sunsplash. She has a very good time. Marilee and I go visit the Hatch's but they are not there. They recently lost a horse and we wanted talk to them about that. We go visit the Hardy's and they are there. We have a very nice visit. Brother Hardy is in poor health and Sister Hardy has fallen and was very seriously hurt. Sister Hardy is up and getting around the house again. Sure is a hard time for them

Please tell me about any "ERRORS and/or OMISSIONS" so I can fix them. wendelleyring@yahoo.com

First Edited: 01 May 2004 Last Edited: 12 June 2004 - by Wendell