This week in Burley, Idaho - March 23 - 29, 2015

This week in Burley, I D A H O
Monday - Sunday - March 23-29, 2 0 1 5

March 23, 2015 - Monday

Empty Nester Neighborhood  FHE at George and Jacque Gorton's home - theme " MARDI GRAS "  Jambalaya, Okra Creole, Beignets, etc...

We shared "turning points" in our lives.
Here's who was able to come...

March 24, 2015 - Tuesday
A quiet, cold, rainy day.  We built a fire in the fire place and kept warm and dozy inside.  
In the evening I picked up a prescription for Walt and then went to the stake center for my temple recommend which expires the end of March.

March 25, 2015 - Wednesday
We walked over to Melling's home this morning to see how the ramp is coming that Ron Bench is building for the return of Don and Ruth on Saturday, March 28.  It should accommodate the wheelchair for Don very well.  
Ron measuring.


Here are some photos of the ramp.
Here's the ramp from the front of the house.


Here's from the west side of the ramp.  There are strict regulations and requirements for a ramp.  It has to be a certain length so as not to be too steep for the wheelchair to go up and back down safely.

This is one of the best ramps we have ever seen.  Ron has been working on this in all kinds of weather. Monday and Tuesday were cold, windy, with scattered rain showers.  Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are predicted to have warmer temperatures each day to finish the week.

Harry Carpenter stopped by to talk with us and to see the ramp.

As we left we apologized for taking Ron's time, but he said he was happy to talk with us.

It appears that Don is getting more feeling in his left arm each day. That is a very good sign that his left side is waking up slowly but surely.  Walt went to physical therapy at 3:30 today.
He didn't go Monday because they were changing their computers over to a new system and did not schedule any patients.
Here he is...  

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March 26 - Thursday
Walt chose boiled eggs and English muffins for breakfast today.

Then we put a roast on to feed the Spanish-speaking missionaries this evening--Elder Bradley from Grand Junction, Colorado, who goes home next week.  Elder Martinez, who has been here almost a year, is from Texas.

I didn't get a photo of the dinner until after they left.  Here's some of what we served.  They liked the hot, homemade rolls, which I sent some home with them.

They left a nice spiritual message with us and left their blessing on the Petersen home.  We trying to think of some friends who could use the blessings of knowing about The Great Restoration of the Gospel for this Dispensation of the Fullness of Times. 
Is there any of you in our blog land who would like to know more about The Book of Mormon and its messge? 
It will change your life for the better for eternity!

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March 27 - Friday
Here's the ramp completed with the side railings.

It's the best-built ramp we have ever seen! Ron Bench does good work!
What a fun surprise to have the Melling's youngest son, John, there with his three darling children.

John, Janell 7, Don 5, and _______ 3, had just driven in from Seattle on their way to Salt Lake City, and then drive back to Chicago the next day.

Dan Black came by just then walking his cute white, fluffy dog

Walt had his Physical Therapy Session #10 this afternoon at 3:30 at the Burley Hospital.  His first time on this machine.

Then the two gals who worked with him today--Alisha and _______ walked him with just a cane.
Then they ice his right hip for 10 minutes before we leave.

We try to take a little drive when we leave the hospital because it's so nice to be out of the house for a while.  We saw three boats on the river at River Front Park.  It was 78º degrees today....have to turn the car air conditioner on.

As we drove around Bedke Boulevard, we saw 6 or 7 boat trailers. So nice to see boats out on the river again.  This is a nice new boat ramp area for Burley.
I made a "Friday Night Nacho Bake" from a recipe I got off the Internet today.  Went shopping for some of the ingredients at Smith's when I first let Walt off for his P.T. session.
   We enjoyed it, but for all the fuss of getting it put together, I'd just as soon have a Taco Salad.
    Watched the NCAA "Sweet Sixteen" basketball game of Utah vs Duke.  Utah had a run in the last 4 minutes and were catching up, but then Duke stopped them cold and the Blue Devils won by 6 to advance to the "Elite Eight," which will send some to the Final Four, leading to the Championship.  Then the "March Madness" will end for another year.

WELCOME HOME FOR THE MELLINGS

March 28 - Saturday

And here they are - driving in at 2:05 on Saturday afternoon.
David drove his Mom & Dad home from their four weeks at the University of Utah Medical Center where Don was life-flighted on Friday, February 27 because of a stroke on his left side.

There were 21 there to greet Don & Ruth as they pulled in
....with 6 more coming just after they arrived.

Don & Ruth Melling – Homecoming – Saturday, March 28, 2015

Their oldest son, David, drove them from Salt Lake City.

They arrived at their home in Burley at 2:05 p.m. 
(The clock on my camera card is an hour behind.)

 Those who welcomed the Mellings back home:

 1.     Walt Petersen

      2.     Eileen Petersen

   3.     David Gibbons

      4,  Marilyn Gibbons

   5.     George Gorton   
 6.     Jacque Gorton
    7.     Bishop Steve Gerratt

   8.     Michelle Gerratt with a “Welcome Home” sign

   9.     McKay Gerratt  
10.   Tyler Gerratt

 11.   Claire Gerratt                         

    12. Ryan Gerratt

         13.    Dallin Gerratt

  14.  Alan Fluckinger

 15. Diane Fluckinger

  16.  David Hansen

 17. Alice Hansen

  18.  Ken Hansen1  
19.  Bonnie Hansen

    20. Ron Bench

 21.   Friend of Ron Bench

  22.  Ken Fronk

  23.  Bonnie Fronk
24. Chris Fronk

    25.  Dan Black

  26.  Sister Muir - Missionary

 27.  Sister Taguba  - Missionary

Don made the trip well--tired but happy to see so many neighbors and friends.  Ruth made sure she greeted and thanked each one.

David pushes Don up the ramp for its official maiden voyage with Don in the wheelchair.

And they are entering the house -- finally home for real.

As the friends get ready to leave, it's time for Don to have a rest. Walt lingers a minute or two more to make sure his dear friend is doing okay.
 
A photo with Don, Ruth, Walt and Eileen before we leave.

Then one with David and the others.

What a welcome home!

March 29 - Sunday
We took dinner to Mellings after Church.
Then Sharon Haroldsen and her twin sister Karen stopped in.

I'm putting our photo on....then we're watching Killing Jesus on the National Geographic channel.   We'll finish this tomorrow.

We pray you've had a peaceful and restful Sabbath Day.
Heavenly Fathers loves all of us!

This week in Burley, I D A H O - March 16-22, 2015

Burley, Idaho and 17 1/2 hours in Utah - 

Week of March 16-22, 2015

March 16, 2015 - Monday

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I rendezvoused with Janie & Shawn in Pocatello. Janie helped me drive to Provo, Utah, for my sister's Retirement Dinner Party hosted by her four children.

Shawn drove on to Burley to stay with Walt while I was gone.  He is healthy enough to stay alone, but if he were to fall, there would be no one in the house to help get him up.

We got the the LaJolla Restaurant at The Riverwoods in Provo, Utah, at 5:40 p.m., just as Janice and Jeff had parked.

March 17, 2015 - Tuesday 

St. Patrick's Day

Janie and I pulled out of Julie & John's driveway at 6:15 a.m. and hit the Idaho border at 8:30 a.m.  We rendezvoused with Shawn at 9:30 and I headed on west to Burley as they went north to Rexburg.

I so appreciated their taking a day out of their busy lives to make it possible for me to help honor my sister at her Retirement Party.

That evening the theme of our Third Ward Relief Society Birthday Dinner was "Heroines Throughout Time." 

A delicious dinner of chicken salad made by Mindy Young, served in croissants, along with a yummy variety of salads brought by the sisters.

As I was looking at a potato salad, Sister Laura Nielsen said: "Try the potato salad.  It's really good.  I know, I made it."  She is a darling widow in our ward.  Brother Eric Pearce had told me that we have around 80 widows in our ward.

Sister Mary Ann Roskelley, chairman of the evening Relief Society Meetings, and her committee did a great job.

The pink and green colors added a festive springtime look.

The truffles in their truffle bowls made fancy center pieces. And Mindy Young's delicate holders with the flickering candles added just the right ambiance to each table.

Six sisters spoke about Heroines...

Old Testament Heroine - Amber Grayson chose to speak about Rebekah, and her

New Testament Heroine - Donna Westergard

Book of Mormon Heroine - Diana Prescott

Lanada Kerbs, accompanied by Emily Garrard sang "Mary Did You Know?"

Heroine from Early Church History - Michelle Gerratt chose Mary

Heroine from Early Church History - Wendy Weeks - Eliza R. Snow

Modern Day Heroine - Alyssa Carnaham

Pianist was Ellen Petersen and Chorister Jan P.

Prayers by Alisha Squires and Alice Hansen. It was an enjoyable and spiritual evening of sisterhood.

Each sister in Burley Third Ward is a heroine!

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March 18, 2015 - Wednesday

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Walt had physical therapy in the afternoon.

We spent a quiet evening.  I worked some on the blog; Walt read some of his cousin D.Lamar Jensen's autobiography "Abundant Life."

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March 19, 2015 - Thursday

One month since Walt fell and broke his right hip.

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March 20, 2015 - Friday

First day of Spring

Physical Therapy

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March 21, 2015 - Saturday

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March 22, 2015 - Sunday

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Elder DeVar and Hermana Sharon Haroldsen spoke in Sacrament Meeting today in Idaho Falls about their mission as temple workers in the San Salvador El Salvador Temple from June 2013 to March 2015. 

We had asked for them to fill the vacancy left by Elder y Hna. Gibbons and Elder y Hna. Kitley who finished their 18 months in January 2013.

Today was also the Twin Falls Idaho Temple Devotional for Temple Workers.  We rode over with President David and Sister Marilyn Gibbons. (David and Marilyn Gibbons were in the first group of the four senior couple temple missionaries who served in the San Salvador El Salvador Temple.  He is now serving as the first counselor in the Twin Falls Idaho Mission Presidency.)

This week in Burley, Idaho...

The week of March 9-15, 2015 in Burley, I D A H O
March 9 - Monday
Here is the miracle of Shawn's over-night healing.
The blood test that was 763 yesterday, that the normal limits are from 7-81, was redone this morning and everything was normal!
Dr. Wells said to Shawn that his body had done its thing and the stone passed, unplugging that duct that was causing the problem with the pancreas.
   Then Dr. Wells added that we all know what that is called--"Priesthood."
Shawn was discharged from the hospital and they got to our home about 10:00.
I cooked them a "Grama-Jane breakfast" of fried bacon, spuds, and eggs, with toast and juice.
Except Shawn was on clear liquids (he'd had some clear jello and juice before he left the hospital), so he just had the Cran-Raspberry juice.
Janie and Shawn slept a couple of hours, then Shawn's Dad, Budd, came to drive them to Rexburg.

Here is Budd closing the door as Shawn got in and adjusted the seat to lie back a little.

Later that day Walt went in for his second physical therapy session as an out patient.  Brent McMillan worked with him today.

Our neighbors, Tom and Irene Blayney came over to find out how Don is doing since his stroke on Feb. 27.  We told them that he is paralyzed on his left side, and has lost the vision in his left eye.  He can talk, but it is hard to understand him.
   The physicians are telling them that there is still hope that some of the feeling will come back on that left side.

March 10 - Tuesday 
We voted today for a school bond for improvements in every school in the Cassia County School District.  Hope it passes.

Newspaper headlines the next morning said: "SCHOOLS WIN BIG."  It passed by 75% (needed a 2/3 majority, so it passed easily).

Tonight we watched the BYU vs Gonzaga Basketball Pacific Coast Conference Championship game.  Poor Cougars just couldn't get it together and lost by about 20 points.  They may or may not get a spot in the NCAA March Madness Tournament.  They are in a play off game Tuesday, March 17 to determine if they have a spot.
G O    C O U G A R S !

March 11 - Wednesday
Today our neighbor of 49 years, Irene Blayney turned "80".
I made her a personalized birthday card.

Irene   

                    "80"                   

March 11, 2015
I included this wonderful photo of The Tom & Irene Blayney Family - Their Christmas card for December 2014

We’ve loved being your neighbors for these 44 years--

since 1971, plus 5 years before that just three houses north on Burton Avenue.

(I put a small wedding photo of Walt and Eileen when we were 27 and 22, then typed this beside it: "But we still all feel young at heart!")

We walked over early this evening just before sundown and gave Irene her homemade card and a print from El Salvador made from dried plants.

They told us that Ruth and Don Melling had called today and they were so happy to talk with them.
Kirt had told us this afternoon that Don had been able to push his left leg down with some force on his own after the physical therapists had pulled it up.  He was also able to move his little finger on the left hand, which he had not been able to do.
   Here is a photo of Don and Ruth with their youngest son, John taken five years ago on June 14, 2010, two months before their Golden Wedding Anniversary.

Walt had physical therapy this afternoon. Brent started with him, then Troy finished.   Troy put the security belt on and held on to it while he had walk with a cane without the walker.  Walt said he felt "shaky."

March 12 - Thursday

We would have driven to Utah today to help with Maddie and Jackson while Jacee competes at the National Ballroom competition held on the BYU campus in the Marriott.
But Walt is not to travel until four weeks after his surgery--for two reasons Dr. Crane said:
1. Increased risk of blood clots after surgery.
2. The jostling in the car driving for that long is not good for it repaired hip this soon after surgery.
    Put photo of Jacee and her partner at

Walt went to see Dr. Gilbert Crane today about his swollen knee.

  When his x-ray technician brought in the x-rays taken today of his knees, Dr. Crane exclaimed: "You have horrible knees.  How are you able to even walk?!"

They are full of arthritis and no cartilage, and look like you should be in a lot of pain.  So Walt feels blessed that he is not in a lot of pain with his knees.

The current swelling is from an infusion of fluid, partly from the arthritis and the manipulation necessary during the hip surgery.

Next Thursday (March 19--which is one month since he fell) Walt will keep his regular appointment to check on the hip surgery.

Dr. Crane just smiles and says okay when I ask 

if I can take a photo of him beside Walt.

Surprise! As we were leaving, Walt ran in 

to someone who knew him.  

This has happened a lot since we've been back home.

It always brightens Walt's day.

When we drove up from physical therapy, there was our dear friend and neighbor, Darrell Roskelley, mowing our lawn.  It made the whole yard look so much better.  We so appreciate his kindness and thoughtfulness in helping us so much!

Serendipity Study Club's program Thursday evening was given by Megan Petersen about her time in Africa.  She did an amazing job and we learned so much about that Continent and how people there live and about the health issues they endure.  

Megan is like her Mom--making the world a better place.

Pat Greenman was the hostess for the last time.  They have sold their beautiful home in Burley on Laurel Drive (it had been the home of Otis and Kathrine Williams) and they are looking at a home in Twin Falls.  We will miss them a lot!
Also pictured on the right is Karma Lambert, our hostess for last month.

I tried to get a picture of everyone around the room, but I missed one section.  (Sometimes I think a photo has taken, but it hasn't.)

We had 15 members there: June Tilley, Carol Cheney, Jennie Egbert, Terri Smith, Bonnie Hansen, Marilyn Gibbons, Susan Young, Karen Robins, Ilene Mai, Deloras Green, Gladys Harrison, Eileen, Petersen, Linda Petersen, Karma Lambert, and 

Pat Greenman.  We missed those who weren't able to be there.  

We hope Judy Ward will be able to be back with us soon.

Pat served some typical foods of Africa -- spicy hummus with chips, fresh fruit, and chocolate-covered pretzels.

"Now that we know about some of the needs there, what are we going to do about it?"

March 13 - Friday
Friday the 13th
John and Julie had tickets for us at the tables on the main floor to see Jacee's dancing.  We are so sad to miss it.

Walt went to physical therapy in the morning so I could go visiting teaching with LaRae Crane in the afternoon.

The visiting teaching messages this year are on the Attributes of Christ...this month on Patience.  LaRae does such a good job with these lessons.  We visited Cindy Young, Bonnie Rose, and stopped in to see Belva Gowen. LaRae had made delicious shamrock-shaped sugar cookies for our sisters. LaRae will contact Deb later.

March 14 - Saturday
We would have stayed with Jackson and Maddie today while Jacee danced in the final day of the National Ballroom competition.  Their BYU Pre-teen team won first place!


March 15 - Sunday
I have an interview at 10:15 this morning to renew my temple recommend. It was a nice surprise when Brother Crane called me Tuesday evening to remind me that my temple recommend would expire the end of March.    We had great lessons in Relief Society given by Ann Harper about The Savior.
Bonnie Fronk taught us in Sunday School about "Take My Yoke Upon You.

We pray you have had a restful and peaceful Sabbath Day.

We are thankful for the Sabbath Day to learn more about The Savior and His Gospel.

We have a testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His Atonement for each of us.

He is truly our Redeemer and Savior.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Walt and Eileen Petersen - Burley, I D A H O