Even more pics

More pics

And I've got more to come later.

HB may have movies, I have pictures

So with Chad being gone Pam has been doing some summer "spring" cleaning. She found an old evelope with some photos in them. I thought you might be interested in some of them. Some need identification. I am listing the cutline of the photos below. See if you can match them to the photos.

1. Frogjam

2. Ada

3. Missionary farewell

4. Handsome man

5. Beautiful woman

Notes for the taking

It seems that the quickest remedy to missing someone is to go to movies. I've gone to more movies in the last two weeks than I have in the last 5 years. Pam and I went to see Pirates and Spiderman while in Utah and Cameron and I have gone to see Ocean's 13 and Fantastic 4. I wish the writing was better on Ocean's but it's still a good diversion from reality. Both Cameron and I wish he had gone to see Nancy Drew over Fantastic 4. So I've spent about $40 on movies to get over my separation anxiety and I've decided Spiderman and Ocean might have been worth paying $4 to see, but the others were a waste. Other quick notes: Chad is a district leader in the MTC. He has written us twice now and we're getting a mixture of how great it is to how hard it is. I think the word "prison" came up once in his letters along with long hours and hard to learn the language. Anyway, any encouragement you can give him would be appreciated. So that's a hint to send him a letter or two. We are having to re-do his passport because they wrote on it....Chad Arnett Arnett. He's learning to find joy in simple things like sitting in the shade of tree at the temple for 20 minutes waiting to go in. It reminds me of Howard. He used to lie on the floor of our living room in the light of the sun shining through the windows. When it moved, so did he. He used to tell me he knew why pigs enjoyed the sun so much. I told him if he wanted I could throw some mud on the carpet to make it even more enjoyable. It was the highlight of his day to just lay in the sunlight during the winter.

On another note, Cameron is doing well. He's getting more hours at work and he's been getting involved in the singles ward. He got his license back so he's a little more mobile. I let him take my truck once in a while. He doesn't drive it much because it doesn't have air conditioning.

For those of you lack like head banging music, and you know who you are, I have to recommend the new Scary Kids CD that comes out next month. DJ, (most of you in AZ have met him) and his band are on the Warped Tour again along with some other big name tour. You guys probably know what it's called, but I forgot. Anyway, their new CD is actually good. I've always gotten a preview of their last two CDs first and really didn't like any of their stuff, but this on has got good stuff on it. Their last CD sold close to 8o,000. If they can get this one up to 120,000, they get signed by RCA....then who knows. They have their own touring bus this time around.
That was a commercial announcement for those of you who know DJ. He still comes around to shower and eat.

I'm still gonna post some pictures of Chad going into the MTC sometime. It's still hard for me to look at them, but time will cure that.

This is a hard thing thou has asked of us

It was difficult, it still is. This is difficult but as Lacy says you have to write things down to "make it better". First off, the MTC president kept saying in the meeting that this was a spiritual experience. Neither Pam or I felt the spirit. We couldn't through our tears. Also where did they get the idea to start off with singing "Called to Serve". You all have been through it so I won't rehash the proceedings, only to say we actually said goodbye quickly and had to ask other families to move so we could get out. Chad was in his element. He shed some tears saying goodbye, but he had a smile on face and was ready to go. He knew quite a few of his fellow elders going in. He was greeting them...sharing in all the excitement. When it was time to go into the "great hall" to say goodbye, he said "let's ride, Dad". Then when we had to say farewell we all three hugged and he said, "Game on, Dad". I was so proud of him. He was promised in his setting apart that angels will go before him and that Christ will be in front and on his right and left and that he will help many to realized the blessing of the gospel. I'm not tearful for him, but for us. One little incident you might apprecitate happened after we left the MTC. We needed gas so we stopped at a gas/food mart as Pam needed a newspaper also. Pam went in to get the newspaper and after I had gassed up I pulled up to the side of the food mart so Pam wouldn't have to get wet as it was pouring rain. Pam came out and proceded to get into another man's car. Through teary eyes, she thought it was me. In her defense, it was the same color Honda as ours. She got in and then realized it wasn't me. She screamed and then both she and the man laughed. Anyway, more musings on the day in a later post, but here are a few photos that will certainly make me and Pam cry and maybe you to. On second thought, I'll upload them later for some reason they won't load on this computer.

Chad's Farewell address

Sixty-three years ago yesterday, in North Peckingham, England, a young World war II bomber pilot and his B-24 crew prepared for a mission to Brunswick, Germany approximately hundred miles south of Hamburg where I'll be serving my mission..
Knowing the pilot had served as an LDS missionary to Australia, the crew asked him if he would lead them in prayer. His mission had previously been interrupted when he was called back to the US for the war.
The crew gathered together under the wing of the aircraft which had been named "Boomerang" for obvious reasons by the pilot. The prayer went as follows: “…Please help each of us perform our assigned tasks well, that we will work harmoniously together to successfully complete our assigned mission, and please Father­ keep us safe and protected from harm so we may return to our home base safely....” As the pilot uttered the words “return to our home base safely,” something was different. He suddenly knew that they were not coming back! It was hard for him to finish that prayer, but he did know one thing for certain: he would not tell his crew members. He was hoping to find something seriously wrong with the aircraft so that they would have a legitimate reason to abort the mission. But, there was no such luck, everything was working perfectly.
As the plane was over the English channel, he was thinking about the last time he was home. It was then that his thoughts turned toward Jesus Christ and His experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. Even, HE, the Son of God, was looking, at least temporarily, for an honorable way out of his ordeal as he prayed, “Father let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.” A feeling of peace then came over the pilot as they passed across the channel and reached the Netherlands coastline. He knew they were not coming back, but he prayed earnestly for their lives to be saved.
Accounts of the day are varied and details of the air battles are rather foggy. The Luftwaffe caught their bombing group twice without fighter protection and the scenario was set for a massacre as about 40 messerschmidtt fighters began firing cannons and machine guns at the B-24 bombers.
The Boomerang had been hit several times by enemy fire and was crippled. With two bad engines and a damaged vertical fin and rudder the only hope was to try to make it back to England. As planes were exploding in the air all around him the LDS pilot turned for home. He told the crew he was going to stay with the plane and gave them the choice to bail out. All members chose to stay with the plane. When the last engine failed, the plane had to crash land in occupied Holland. Miraculously, only one crew member was killed, although others were injured. Before the plane even hit the ground, German soldiers were there to take them prisoners.
They were forced onto a train where they were transported to their new destination ... a prison camp called Stalag 17. This was the infamous site the so called "Great Escape" where previously about 50 allied prisoners attempted a tunnel escape to be re-captured and executed in front of the other prisoners to deter other escape attempts.
The LDS pilot spent 9 months in this prison, but the allies were closing in, so they were forced to march in bitter cold and in a foot of snow for a one full day and two nights where they then were transported by train to another prison camp. Food was scarce and hunger rampant and the prison guards were often cruel. A short time later they had to march again, this time 100 miles to still another prison camp where conditions were even worse.
Back in the United States in a little town in Southeastern Arizona lived the parents of this LDS pilot. They had two sons fighting in Europe during World War II and one of them was a prisoner of war. Any news about their son was difficult to get so all they could do was pray fervently for his safety.
War is a two sided affair, and not far away in Safford, Arizona was also a prison camp that housed Germans prisoners of war. This prison was a work camp. Each day prisoners were trucked to different farms in the Gila valley to provide work for families in the area. Two prisoners named Ernst and Fritz were transported daily to a small farm in Franklin, Arizona for work.
The family they worked for was the family of the LDS pilot who was imprisoned in Germany. It would have been easy for members of this family to harbor ill feelings toward their German prisoners. It would have been easy to show animosity for the hardships their son had to endure, but each day this family treated these two prisoners with respect and dignity. In fact, the mother of this family insisted that Ernst and Fritz be fed the same as their family.
All they were given each day from the prison was a sandwich of two bread slices and a thin slice of bologna. This was not good enough. This mother made sure they be fed like her family because she prayed each day that someone in Germany would treat her son as well as she treated Ernst and Fritz.
While her son was not treated well, it didn't matter to this mother. She had true Christlike love for all people. She was able to forgive any trespasses and cruelty imposed on her son and hence on her family.
Elder Ukedorf recently gave a talk at conference on forgiveness:
He said: Jesus taught us an eternal truth when He taught us to pray: “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. … For, if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not … neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (3 Nephi 13:11, 14-15) Therefore, extending forgiveness is a precondition to receiving forgiveness
Pres Hinckley says of forgiveness: “I think it may be the greatest virtue on earth, and certainly the most needed. There is so much of meanness and abuse, of intolerance and hatred. There is so great a need for repentance and forgiveness. It is the great principle emphasized in all of scripture, both ancient and modern"
The great crowning love of the Savior was expressed when in His dying agony He cried out, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
In our day the Lord has said in revelation: “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men” (D&C 64:9-10)
A great example of forgiveness was shared by President Thomas S. Monson. It's a story about a family which came to America from Germany early many years ago. The English language was difficult for them and they had but little by way of means, but each was blessed with the will to work and with a love of God. Their third child was born in America, lived but two months, and then died. The Father was a cabinetmaker and fashioned a beautiful casket for the body of his precious child. The day of the funeral was gloomy, thus reflecting the sadness they felt in their loss. As the family walked to the chapel, with Father carrying the tiny casket, a small number of friends had gathered. However, the chapel door was locked. The busy bishop had forgotten the funeral. Attempts to reach him were futile. Not knowing what to do, the father placed the casket under his arm and, with his family beside him, carried it home, walking in a drenching rain.
If the family were of a lesser character, they could have blamed the bishop and harbored ill feelings. When the bishop discovered the tragedy, he visited the family and apologized. With the hurt still evident in his expression, but with tears in his eyes, the father accepted the apology, and the two embraced in a spirit of understanding. No hidden wedge was left to cause further feelings of anger. Love and acceptance prevailed.
To have forgiveness we must have a change of heart.
When King Benjamin finished his remarkable address in the land of Zarahemla, the people all cried with one voice that they believed his words. They knew of a surety that his promises of redemption were true, because, said they, “the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent … has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, [and note this] that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” (Mosiah 5:2)
When we have undergone this mighty change, which is brought about only through faith in Jesus Christ and through the operation of the Spirit upon us, it is as though we have become a new person. Thus, the change is likened to a new birth. Thousands of you have experienced this change. You have forsaken lives of sin, sometimes deep and offensive sin, and through applying the blood of Christ in your lives, have become clean. You have no more disposition to return to your old ways. You are in reality a new person. This is what is meant by a change of heart.
With this change of heart comes forgiveness from the Father through the Mercy and atonement of our savior Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the mediator between us and the Father. He is the means through which we can communicate. This is why we are taught to pray in his name. Along with being the mediator between us and Heavenly Father, he is also the Fathers advocate. Because of the sacrifice that He made on behalf of human kind, he is able to, as 2 Nephi 8:22 reads, plead the cause of his people. Jesus has felt our temptations. He has felt our pain and suffering. He has felt our sorrow. Because He has been where we’ve been, He pleads our case to God the Eternal Father. Jesus has compassion on our souls and has done the ultimate to help us return to our Father so that we may all dwell as brothers and sisters in paradisiacal glory. It is now up to us to take hold of this chance we’ve been given to return to God our Father. It is up to us to use the tools that Christ has given us.
One of, if not the, greatest tools Christ has given us is the tool of our salvation; the Atonement. The Atonement satisfies the demand for justice. It is the power by which we can live forever. In 1 Nephi 11:6 Jacob tells us that “save Christ should come all men must perish”. We do not know or understand how Jesus did so great an act; all we know is that he did it. He suffered for our sins. He bled from every pore and died on the cross so that we may be made perfect. Without Him, we would be damned.
The Atonement is a wondrous thing. Not only does it apply to our eternal salvation, but because of it we can also be comforted in our most trying times. As I’m sure many of you here know, I played volleyball in high school. Once during a practice I injured my ankle very badly. I was angry, I was hurt, I couldn’t understand why this would happen to me. Then something my dad said came into my mind. He told me that if I didn’t humble myself, the Lord would do it for me. This made me even madder. I believed that my dad cursed me. I thought that it was his entire fault. Well as weeks went on my ankle began to heal and I began playing again. But something wasn’t right. Nothing was meshing. I had lost several inches off my vertical jump, the team had grown together without me because I was not able to play, and nothing was going the way I wanted or needed it to. Because of the lack of balance in my sports life, I started loosing grip on other parts of my life. My academics were slacking. I was fighting with good friends. I was still angry at my father and at the church. I tricked myself into believing that if God loved me and wanted me to be happy, none of this would have happened.
This attitude continued on for several months. Everything continued to spiral downwards. I couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t straighten out my life. I became depressed. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t stand to be around people. Finally I had enough. I had to find a way out of my slump. The problem was that I didn’t know where to turn or who to talk to. I wanted to change my life but I was still to proud to talk to my parents. I was still fighting although there was nothing left to fight.
Luckily, Christ was there to catch me and comfort me as He always is. I had a lesson in priest’s quorum one Sunday on the Atonement. I remember thinking to myself, “What’s left to lose? I’ve lost everything that I once held dear.” In that moment I decided to take the car and drive to my personal spot. The place that I felt was mine in the world. Once I arrived there, I knelt down and cried. I told the Lord all that I was feeling. I begged for help. As soon as I did so, I felt as if a thousand pounds was just lifted off of my chest. The thought came to my mind “Chad, you never had to beg. I was always here. I am always here. Let me help.” The spirit bore witness to me that through the power of the Atonement, I didn’t have to bare my burdens alone. I know that I never will.

In John chapter 21 Jesus asks his disciple Peter the following: (read verse 15 through 17)
Now if I have learned anything in seminary it is this. If something is repeated twice in the scriptures, PAY ATTENTION. If it is repeated three times, you better do it.
We all have a great responsibility that has been placed upon our shoulders by the Savior. He said, “If you love me, Feed my sheep”
That includes searching out those that are not with us and extending to them our love and fellowship. They stood with us in our first estate. They stand alone now. They need our help.
I hope to feed the people of Germany like I have been fed with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and follow the example of my great grandmother who fed the two German prisoners like they were her own.
Jesus promised in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”. This is the message I hope to give to German people.
TESTIMONY.

On Hold For A While!

This is what is comes down to. Chad becomes a missionary and he gets all the blessings...er..fish. We took a trip to our honey hole -- Pretty Water, just south of Palo Verde, CA. It's about where Ira Reid's place used to be before the River was ruined by the BLM. It is actually the old river channel that is now a huge backwater. Anyway, Chad, myself and Duffy, the wonder dog, went over for Memorial Day. There were no other fishermen there. We had it all to ourselves. Everything was ripe for another Jeff Arnett spanking of Chad Arnett....as is should be. But, missionaries have the touch, I guess. I got spanked. I even had to count the small "anchovie" size bass just to say I caught two fish. I will miss our fishing trips together. It is a big sacrifice for me to give up this boy for two years. It was a lot easier for me to go on my mission than to send him. Nevertheless, if Cliff, Larry, HB and Candy can send theirs off, I can too....I guess.

Now Chad will become a fisher of men I suppose, just like A.J., Anthony, Danny, Casey, Dana, Lacy, Jantzen and Meghan. That's quite a group of fisherman (not too mention their spouses who went.) The older Arnett's thank you for your service to the Lord. We know that Howard and Ethel are proud of your sacrifice as are we. Now, Chad becomes the 9th grandchild to go. Here's to good "fishing", son.

The White Field!

Chea took some photos of Chad this week. I have to admit she's got the touch. One of her friends, who does photo touch-ups like announcements, etc. did this one of Chad....for the free publicity. Check with Chea to see who she is. Anyway, here it is.

Bits and pieces!

A couple of notes and observations over the last couple of weeks. Chad's mission includes the place where Anne Frank hid. Their is a museum there, etc. Also, Brunswick is part of his mission. This is where Uncle Charles was headed before being shot down in his B-24. Hamburg is the second largest port in Europe. Can you say, seafood? I wonder if Chad can fish on P-days? We received an email from Larry and Kathy about good friends of theirs' who have family in Hamburg. Can you say, keep an eye on Chad? It rains more in Hamburg than anywhere in the US.

Chad gave his farewell address yesterday. I'm gonna post some of his talk along with Cameron's graduation speech from the ARC. I think both will be of interest to my bloggin friend's. I also have pictures to post later.

Here's how it went down!

Pam and I have been calling Chad since Monday about 10 times a day to see if "it" came in the mail. We knew the call was issued as of Friday because you can find out online now. At least someone with authority can find out. That someone told Chad last Friday night it had been issued. So we all started dreaming....literally dreaming about where he would go. Chad dreamed he got his call and the letter started out, "Dude", you've been called to....etc. We knew that was bogus. Pam also had a dream he got called somewhere foreign. I dreamed he had an APO address and went somewhere deep in the jungles of Malaysia. That was out because there are no missions there. Anyway, our dreams were way off. After waiting until Friday morning, the call arrived in the mail. Chad got us on a conference call and opened the packet, after seeing how much postage it took (Lexie, once again I was right and you were wrong). So, we were all floored. It seems he will be following Casey to the cold climes. He is going to.......the Germany Hamburg Mission. He reports June 6th. That's right just a few weeks away. He doesn't turn 19 until June 30th. He will be on a bike most of the time and he's gonna have his work cut out for him. I read an online letter from his mission president that talked about the joy of serving and serving some more without much results. The mission averages about 1/2 baptism per missionary, but boy is there lot's of serving going on. We're excited for him. He looks rather German. He's gonna be about 500 miles from his cousin Lauren in Norway and 500 miles from his Uncle Steve in England and 800 miles from his cousin Casey in Sweden and many miles from us. Way to go, Chad. The adventure begins!!!!

Photos from fishing outing.

I've never been called an "Aquatic Hitchiker" before.

How could I not marry her?

How you ask? After seeing this photo I was hooked. She had me at tutu.

Canyon Lake on a Saturday Afternoon

It was 90 degrees on Saturday. It's also the start of spring break for Pam so she wanted to do something exciting. A trip to Paris was out of the question. Even a trip to Provo right now is out, so we did the next best thing.....a 40 minute ride to Canyon Lake. I thought I'd take our little fishing boat out for it's first 2007 excursion.

It seems everyone else in Phoenix thought the same thing. It was very crowded. Jet skis, boats, fisherman, trailers, snowbirds and tourists. The roads were crowded, the beaches full and the lake choppy due to the large amount of boats. The only thing there wasn't plenty of was fish. The fishing was good, but the catching no so good.

I really didn't expect to catch anyway. This trip was to see if Pam would enjoy sitting in the boat while I fished. I've posted some photos. Tell me what you think? Did she like it? What didn't she like?

I don't know why?

I thought I'd report on last weekend's Arnett cousins trip to Cibola. It was a huge succes, probably because I didn't come up with the idea. Spencer Arnett and his brother Chet were the instigators. At first it was just gonna be a few of us, then it blossomed into an outright reunion.

The plan was for me to show Spencer and Chet around the old ranch in Cibola. They wanted to see the actual plane crash site and what the farm possibly looked like. Once word got out, other cousins wanted to jump in. We had just over 60 Arnetts. That's alot of A.S.S. Fortunately, there were no Alpha male encounters.

So here is what happened.... since Chad was in town he went with us). We met at Spencer's house at around 9 am. Much to my surprize there were tons of people and women who were going. I knew camping would be "Spartan" to say the least, so I was worried about those that might have to "squat" on occasion. Anyway, about 5 or 6 of the grandaughters attended. Some were even in-laws. As rough as it was going to be, it seem's Spencer is the guru of campouts. He had a 60' trailer (for hauling mules, etc). This was quite the set-up. The back was for the mules, but the front was like a travel trailer. He cleaned out the back and stored all his food preparation gear in it.

His sons towed camping trailers...they really know how to rough it. In hindsight, I gues It wasn't so bad for the ladies. Anyway, we arrived in Cibola just about at noon. Chad and I were ahead of everybody else, so we stopped to fish a couple of canals along the way. To lighten the mood a little, we pretended to fish over Cibola road at the entrance of Bisop's ranch. All those that were following us got a kick out of that.

The Bishop Ranch is just north of the Arnett Brothers farm. Our hosts were Tom and Sharon Marriott. Tom is originally from Orem, Utah. They were incredibly generous and kind to us. They had a huge clearing prepared for us to camp in. They also had a large stack of mesquite wood ready for our campfire. They let Chad drive their Kubota's and he hauled all the firewood we needed, plus gave the kids rides around the area.

The Marriotts took me on a personal tour. We went to the old Bob and Zetta place and saw the old Post Office and cattle pens. They also drove me around to see the old Woods place, etc.

After most everyone arrived, including Tom and Don Arnett, from Nebraska and Missourri respectively, we set up camp and then took a tour of Arnett Brother Ranch, or also know as Cibola Land and Cattle Company.

Our first stop was the old corral, pump and shack. The bus is gone and so are most of the old International pickups, but the shack is still standing along with the loading shoot of the corral. There was an old flat bed trailer that had some of the stuff from the bus and some cousins got some old parts of bridles and halters. They were really excited. Most of our conversation at this stop had to do with how the ranch was started and how it was lost. The bottom line being water was available and the death of Fred and Marvin ended it.

We then went to where the old Bulldozer was. This is the implement Howard used to build the now famous Arnett canal. The people at the Cibola Wildlife Refuge still marvel at how he was able to build that canal with the water running upstream.

After some photos around the Bulldozer, we then went to the canal. It is still in use, although the current now runs south to Cibola lake. The BLM has hooked it into existing canals to the north and water feeds it from there. Aside from an appreciation for the engineering marvel, the cousins weren't really all that interested in the canal. I was because little do they know that most of our recreation on the farm was centered around this canal. I looked for the diving board on the other side of the canal, but couldn't find it. Anyway, it's amazing how you can have fun when there's nothing else to do.

Next we crossed over the bridge, the one that cuts our farm in half, and went to the fish and game place. This is now an island. It is still being farmed, but for wildlife use. We saw at least 100 deer in a field as we drove to the old airstip.

At the airstrip, we stopped and held kind of a devotional. Everyone, gave their thoughts and memories of the event. It seems all the facts aren't clear as we all had heard different things. Cliff and HB would know more than any, but we still tried to piece everything together. Alot of tears were shed. This event changed alot of lives and created hardship on everyone. What really impressed me the most was the emotion showed by the grandaughters and grandsons who never knew their grandfathers. They were really moved to actually be there. I suppose it's kind of the song " I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked". I don't mean to equate this experience with what the Saviour went through, but being there brought everything home to me and to them.

After the airstrip we went back to campground and prepared for dinner. I must say I was unprepared for how good it was. This Spencer fellow, and his sons, really know what they are doing. He put a covered tarp area about 60x20'. He had tables and chairs set up. It was like a ...well I can't explain what is what like. It was uptown in downtown Cibola. He had several propane grills going along with charcoal grills. Anyway, we ate like we were at the Marriott. We had steak, chicken, fish, fried potatoes and fresh garden salad. The food alone was worth the trip for me.

That night we sat around the campfire just talking. It was a very cold night and the fire was much needed.

After a few hours we all went to sleep. Sleep wasn't all that abundant for some of us as it was extremely cold.

Chad and I slept in the boat. Were figured we were just two sleeping bags short. We both needed one more than we had. Chad got up about 3 in the morning and sat at the fire with cousin Tom. Tom had been there since about 2 am. I really wanted to join them, but I couldn't muster the courage to get out of my one sleeping bag.

The next morning, those that had arrived late went back to tour the ranch again. For breakfast we had scrambled eggs with chile, hash browns, toast and orange juice. I know it seems odd I'd talk about the food so much, but it really was good.

Some of us went fishing at different spots. I was worried because it was so cold and I was right. I don't think anybody caught anything except meeeeeeeeee. If kind of felt bad for all the rest, but not really. After all, that's why they call if fishing and not catching. That's one of Howard's old sayings.

Around noon everyone packed up and headed out. I spent about an hour with Marriott's talking about the past and the future. Tom is going to do some branding in about a month or so. I offered my services and I know Cliff would like to go over and help too.

They really are trying to create a type of living museum on their place. They want stories and photos of Bob and Zetta, etc. I told them we would have some old home movies up on the website soon for them to watch.

HB is taking care of that. Incidentally, HB, I appreciate the site and seeing those old Howard Arnett reunion movies. I didn't realize to skinny I once was and what a great beard I grew.

So, that's about it. The photos show the Bishop's ranch, our camping spot, the Bulldozer, the canal and the 2 lb. bass I caught.

Getting closer!

Chad is home for a few days. While he is here, he's getting his missionary physical done. He can put his papers in March 30, so we're trying to pace ourselves accordingly. Pam has put up a "where is he going" chart on our wall. Everyone that visits is supposed to write where they think he'll go.

He and a few of his friends when snowboarding at Snowbowl in Flagstaff yesterday. They still aren't home because they got snowed in.

It appears my little trip to Cibola to show where the old farm was has turned into a full fledged reunion. People are flying in from Nebraska and Missouri to participate. I hope they won't be dissapointed as there is really not a whole lot to see.

I appreciate all the old stories I got from everyone.....none. I figured as much. So, I'm gonna just make a bunch up like the time Howard wrestled with a bear and HB lost a foot race to Potter. Oh wait, that one is true.

Anyway, back to Chad, we have to send in a photo with his missionary papers. I'm posted a few for you (my loyal readers) to choose from. Number 1 is the Castro look if he goes to Cuba. Number 2 is I don't care where I go. Numbers 3 & 4 are generic how do I become an assistant looks and number 5 is I can hang in the ghetto if I get sent to Detroit look.

I need some help!

Next weekend, the 23-24th of February, I'm taking several of the Arnett cousins to Cibola to campout and view the old hacienda. It appears that several of the sons and grandchildren of both Marvin and Fred are coming to see where the the plane crash happened, etc. I have worked out a deal with the Cibola National Wildlife refuge to hook us up with a guide to take us back into the places we need to be. They are also writing a history of the Cibola area and need photos and information. It's part of the trade off.

I also spoke with Sharon Marriott, formerly of Orem, and Louie Bishop's granddaughter, she is going to allow us to stay and camp on their place. She also asked for any photos we have showing her family, land, etc. It appears that she really would like to see something on the old Skip's camp and Bob and Zetta Bishop.

So anyway, here's what I need and I really am appealing for help. I need any stories, photos, history, home movies, etc., that I can make copies of and get to the refuge people and to the Marriotts. Hb's story of the shooting of the rat on the wall written up would be great. Any other stories would also be appreciated. Stories aout Fiddler, Machata, Potter, the Beaver Bros, etc. I know the old fogies don't read this, but the younger ones do. Could you please use your influence to help me. It's important to me and to others that we do this.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I really want some sort of marker or plaque with Howard's name on it to show what he did. This refuge has thousands of people go there every year to hunt and bird watch. They do it on land that was cleared, farmed and homesteaded by your father and grandfather. He put his life into it. It just seems to me he deserves some recognition for what he did.

I'm not asking for anything other than photos, etc. I'll do the rest.

The Land of Our Fathers!

Thanks to Keith and Robert Mortensen for their memories and Howardism's. It's gonna take some time, but I'm going to put them together with photos and illustrations from Ryan and Ray (he doesn't know it, yet). I must admit to becoming emotional after reading some of their memories. I've got some fishing stories to tell in the compilation. I remember traveling to Blythe from Mesa on weekends to do my laundry (when I was still single) and we'd wake up and go fishing...me, mother and Howard. Howard loved to fish, but Ethel was obsessed with it. We fished for anything that would bite. Anyway, here's quick story about Howard's fishing prowess. After Mom died and he was living with us at the Islands in Gilbert, he told me to go to the Famer's co-op and buy a big bag of chicken scratch. I told him we didn't own chickens and that the Homeowners Association wasn't going to allow any. He said, don't worry, buy it anyway. He also said to find an old coffee can somewhere. After I bought the scratch and got the can, he told me to thow a can of the scratch into the lake by our house every morning before I went to work and then throw another can in as I came home. He wanted the scratch thrown in the same spot everytime. After about a week, he was ready to fish. He was training the fish he said.

Sure enough, he would take a bucket to the lake with his pole and a chair. It was about 300 yards from our house. Pam would carry Chadrey down to him and he would fish and babysit Chad...mostly making sure he didn't fall in. Howard would sit in the shade in his lounge chair and watch Chad crawl everywhere and reel 'em in. Pam would come back in a couple of hours to get Chad. Everday day we had fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner for months. I should say Howard had fish. We got tired of eating them.

Also, I am posting aerial photos of "the land of our father". These show the ranch and the canal that Howard dug down to the river and the amount of acreage he cleared from brush. It's amazing if you think about it how much he put into that place. Also, if you look in the first photo, some of you can recognize where Uncle Marvin and Fred were killed in the plane crash. Alot has changed over the years but it's still recognizable.

I was talking with Chet and Spencer Arnett the other day and they want me to take them over to actually see the place where their father died. They've never been there. I told them I would, but in true Howard fashion, only if I could spend some time fishing there.

I'm going anyway!!!!!

I'm going to Lake Powell in June, no matter what. It might be lonely, it might be hot, it might just be me, but I'm going. The photos show why!!!!

Questions of the day?

Got a phone message from Keith Mortensen. Is he being friendly--catching up on old times, or does anyone know if someone is sick or died in his family that I should be aware of? Russians reading this, please respond before I track down his phone number and call him back. Maybe, he has some Howardism's to share. He and Robert were the recipients of several real zingers if I recall.

Next question: Is there a temple anywhere close to Ireland? Just asking...not for any particular reason, but just wondering. Are they beautiful temples that offer the same ordinances as the other ones, or are they temple-lite versions without sealing ceremonies?

Does anyone know for a fact if a prospective missionary has to have his wisdom teeth out before he can send in his paperwork to be called, or does he just have to have the appointment to have it done? This is important to Chad as this will determine when his papers can go in. If he only has to have the appointment, his paperwork via online will go in on March 30 and he could recieve his call by April 7th. If he has to actually have them out, he'll have to wait until school is out to have them done here in AZ. and then his paperwork couldn't go in until the end of April.

What's the latest on Reid? Someone post an update? When does Megs get back? It'll be fun.

Were taking a poll on where Chad will get sent on his mission. I, as his father already know, so I must recuse myself, but the rest of you can put your two cents in. To make an educated guess, you need to have some facts at your disposal. First of all, he was 4 year seminary graduate, which means he could go to Brazil which requires that to obtain a ministerial certificate. He also was a high school graduate which allows him to go in the first place. He took one year of German in High School thinking he could drive a Mercedes on his mission, if called there. He knows zero Spanish but is fluent in text messaging if they ever open up that mission. He enjoys the water and being around water so he could be sent to a place where they drink water. His father left alot of work to still be done on his mission and since we have relatives that have never heard the gospel in that mission field, maybe he could do some mop up action for his Father Lacy says that he needs to go stateside because it takes stronger missionaries with stronger testimonies to teach in their own culture and environment. I wanted to debate her on that point, but she probably is right. So there you have it. Background info. for the possibilities of where Chad might be called. Let the voting begin. I vote Monteal, Quebec...seems to have been great for Megs.

Everyone says I'm mean!

I posted photos of my dogs. They are real dogs. They sleep outside, eat outside and poop outside. Look how well behaved they are. Junior has really been coming on strong in the good behavior department (see post below as to why). Also, I've posted a Christmas pic of my family..Pam, Chad and Cam. They are also well behaved even though they don't have to eat, sleep or poop outside.

Okay, so I've been off my mind altering meds for awhile now and it appears that I'm mean, or depressed, or both. Everyone tells me I'm not my usual self. I admit to being a bit short with people. But, I come by it naturally because I am short, 5'9" to be exact. To those of you whom I've offended, I apologize. To those that don't care, I say way to be. This new year I've got some things I'm waiting for. Here they are:
Us or the U.S. to get out of Iraq. Divide it up into 3 countries and be done with it. Let the bloodletting begin. Heresy, you say, well Saddam's dead and nothing has changed nor will it. We should've never fought an offensive war in the first place. Remember, I voted for Al Gore.

I'm also waiting for, The Second Coming...I've been reading "Prophecy: Key to the Future" and old Mormon banned book from the 50's. When Israel elects a President named David get ready, that's all I can say without giving away the ending.

'm also waiting for some sheet music from C.S. Arnett -- some medley or Abide with me stuff.

I'm always waiting for H.B. to want to talk when I call him. He's either on the poddy or really busy and has to go. By the way, he sometimes seems depressed and no one says a word about it. Why can't I get away with it?