November 20, 2023

 Ready for my trip to Tennessee and waiting for Cindy to come pick Kona up. Paul is going to drive me early in the morning. It will be a quick trip and I have packed all their Christmas gifts. I am taking very few clothes to save space. I will have an empty bag coming back.

Bryson and his friends came to stay the day after Rissa and her friends left. They were on a road trip to Seattle. A very bad wind and rain storm was starting when they arrived and blew thru much of the night. Power went out in some areas but thankfully our power remained on. It left a lot of leaves in the yard. 

Saturday the 11th I did my shift at the Temple and then went to visit Tom at the cemetery as it was Remembrance Day. Cindy and family went to my parents graves and then to Tom’s. It was getting dark and rainy when I arrived at Fort Langley but glad I as there.

Cindy and family came over on Monday as it was a holiday and helped me get my Christmas lights up outside. I have started back to the PT for my neck and shoulders and I think it is helping. I didn’t help myself though by doing all my Christmas shopping - at Roots in Guilford - on one day. I looked at all the bags and said, “I cannot carry all of those.” I did carry them but in instalments. I have also been working an my Will and have that complete and just need Cindy and Liza to sign the executors and power of attorney. I spoke at a Stake Primary event this past Sunday evening to the children advancing to YMYW and preparing for to enter the Temple. I love to see the Temple and love to talk about the Temple. I have started on my Christmas cards as well and put all my decorations up on Friday, November 17. It has been a busy time on every level. Mary Harvey invited me to luncheon to celebrate Virginia Tower’s birthday and that was nice to be part of too.

Now on to Tennessee and the rest of the holidays.

November 10, 2023

Larissa, her friend Courtney and Courtney’s Nana have been with me here this week. They were celebrating Nana’s birthday with a visit to Canada and an opportunity to visit with Nana’s good friend Jean. They are both from England and have been friends for years. It has been a busy four days with their arrival on Monday, a meal out with Cindy’s family that evening, then a visit with Jean in Surrey on Tuesday while I attended the Temple and we had a meal here that evening. I made soup. On Tuesday we went to Fort Langley and had High Tea at the Little White House, did some shopping then visited the cemetery. Jean came and picked Nana up for further time together and Rissa and Courtney went downtown to meet an old friend for dinner. I drove them back to the airport Thursday morning and spent the rest of the day catching up and cleaning up. I received a call from Bryson last night asking if he and some friends could stay over tonight on their way to Seattle, so more company on the way. I am blessed that I can accommodate everyone.

Life is challenging for all with wars raging around the world and wars raging in individual’s lives. I received word that Judi Johnson’s husband Ron died suddenly on Sunday and that Karen Shirley is in the hospital with some serious health concerns and heart surgery scheduled imminently. Everyone has personal trials. JayLynn’s health took a dip again and both she and Justin are discouraged and feeling down. Zach is taking awhile to get over his hockey concussion. I wish I could put my arms around all of them and assure that the angels are circling them and the Savior is walking right by them. 

I worked to have the Bull family Christmas ready for Rissa to take when she came and I must get things organized for the Walkers and the Burgesses before I go the Tennessee in just over a week and Kelowna as soon as I get home. I need to get the house ready for Christmas before I leave too. A busy week ahead.

Our Stake YW Presidency was released last Sunday as Cathy had been in for over four years and she has also been struggling with heart problems recently. It was a privilege to serve and it made me feel needed. It pushed me along when I needed a push. I still have my two Temple callings and teaching Temple Prep.

It is Remembrance Day tomorrow and we remember all the BRAVE and in our personal lives  it will be Remembering Mom and Dad. Their bravery and example has blessed our lives and continues to do so. I will also be REMEMBERING my brave boy.❤️❤️❤️

November 3, 2023

The fall or change of weather has really affected me and what appears to be arthritis pain. My hands, arms and back are really hurting and I have booked an appointment with the physio, hoping to at least help my back and neck. Now having said all this, I have been doing extra yard cleanup, moving deck furnishings and using the hand trimmer to cut all my plants back. I no longer have the grass to care for but I do have leaves, gardens and plants. It is annoying as you age because you used to be able to do all these things, plus more, with energy and stamina.

I am trying hard to be independent and not have to call on others for assistance. Early last Monday morning my fire alarm began to beep and realizing that I had no fire concerns, I tried to ignore it, however the dog could not. She was distressed and I finally got up and took her for a walk in the dark and returned home to work on the problem. I got the ladder and thanks to Tom’s foresight in always having necessary batteries in the freezer for every need, I managed to make the battery change by MYSELF! I have to cheer for myself whenever I accomplish something that was normally not in my realm. I miss Tom in every way and am grateful everyday that he has put so many things in order for me and continues to bless me in ways I did not think enough about when he was here.

We celebrated Halloween on Tuesday and Kona handled it quite well. I held her when the doorbell rang and we handed out treats together. She got used to the fireworks that continued far too late. We had mobs of children and their parents on the street and well over 100 that received treats. I ran out of treats and turned my lights out but they still tried to ring the bell. 

We were asked as Stake YW presidency to come to see the Stake Presidency on Wednesday evening. We knew it was for release due to Cathy’s health concerns. President Officer had already released me a couple of weeks ago and failed to let them know before the invitation went out so I drove out to the Stake Center and Paul released me for the second time. The calling has been hard for me but it did bless me this past year when I needed to feel needed and I hope I did some good. It was fun being with grandchildren at activities.

I got all the washed and borrowed tablecloths back to their homes. Paul kindly took the Stake Center cloths when he went there for meetings. I have run thrift errands, changed my fall mums for pansies by the front door and got an array of pumpkins for the Halloween decor by the front door as well. I attended tithing settlement on Sunday, paid a chunk of tithing (always in advance) and took my material to the lawyer to redo my will. I have been talking to him and to Phil about some changes to be made. I have asked Cindy and Liza to act as my personal executors and Ross to act as executor for my two numbered companies. Cindy and I went to visit Melodie Richards  before her move to the Sunshine Coast. She worked for the funeral home when Tom passed and blessed us in great ways. I am so sorry to see her go but we are praying for her. I have also been getting ready for Lara Lyn’s visit next week.

I carry on but miss my precious, beautiful boy so much❤️❤️. Kona is with the groomer Gabriela.