October 5, 2022

 

I am in Hawaii this week with the Burgess family for Liza to participate in the World Championship Ironman Race. We are on the Big Island of Hawaii as the race headquarters are in Kona. I love this island as this is the first place Tom and I came on our honeymoon and we have returned a numerous times since the Temple was built in Kona. Tom loved Hawaii. It was where he felt at home but it has certainly changed a great deal since his family came in the ‘50s and ‘60s when he was a boy and since he started bringing me here. Kona was a sleepy little town in 1970 and our beautiful Kona Hilton was the landmark of the area. It was the most romantic place I had ever seen. Who would have guessed at the time that we would have had a remarkable little girl swimming in the ocean just off our hotel balcony 52 years later and biking and running all over this side of the island. Amazing and she is amazing! 

Tom and I have been here and all over this island but Liza has managed to find beaches, waterfalls and donut shops that we have never seen and known about. Our children are curious and explorers like their father and constantly seeking for the next adventure. I probably have held Tom back a bit and he always sought to please me. I gave him roots and he gave me wings and certainly did push me. The Burgess children have enjoyed boogie boarding and snorkeling and the older children and Brendon hiked into a waterfalls to swim. They hiked to see other falls and crawled into a lava tunnel. We have spent time at the condo pool and the older children have been playing games at the pool site. Alisa’s boyfriend Patrick is racing as well so Ted, Alisa and her boys are here with him. The children have done some activities with them but Alisa has the flu and has remained isolated at the place where they are staying.

I spent last week trying to get things in order and ready for the trip. I took Kona over to Ross and Sarah’s later on Thursday and got her settled. I went for an interview with Junki Huang on Thursday evening at the church. Junki is serving as a High Councillor and he called me to be a counsellor in the Stake Young Women presidency. I said yes immediately and am happy to serve and hope I can be of help to the young women and the leaders. I am old BUT I will do my best and I think this is what I need to do.

This trip is a bittersweet experience for me. I am grateful to be here but miss Tom. I have never been here without him but I do feel okay because he taught me how to get around and to feel at home here. I miss him but see his handprint and feel his influence everywhere. I know he is excited because, for this particular race, he can be with Liza the whole time and not only is she in the World Championship but she is racing in Kona!  He loves his daughter and he loves Hawaii! What more could he ask for! I am so happy for him and so happy for her!

September 28, 2022

 The sister missionaries popped over today to say goodbye as they are both being transferred. We have loved them both but wanted Sister Rivera for one of our grandsons. She is very cute and very hilarious.

Kona graduated from her puppy class last week and Sam accompanied us. She has not been the most cooperative puppy but she has entertained everyone and I think endeared herself to others there. Why not,  because she is so cute. When it was her turn to do her requirements our doorbell sounded on my phone and Kona knows that means, we have to bark and get to the door but where was the door and how do we get there. She is a funny pup! 

I made an effort to get to some church activities and participate this week. I went to the Relief Society event on Wednesday evening where we shared our “life stories”. I participated in the Ward progressive dinner Friday evening and I hosted the appetizers for the Haras, the Chans and Helena Toth. We then went to the Hara’s for the main course and dessert. The Chans brought dessert. The Shirleys were suppose to host dessert but Karen had a TIA recently and was not up to having us come. We are praying for her. It was the BC food drive on Saturday and Cindy had asked me to help with the volunteers’ lunch at the church so I was there for a couple of hours. I also attended the Empty Nester FHE on Monday at the church. Paul Christensen spoke about his volunteer projects performed around the world. Kona does not like my participation in any of these things as she is left in her crate and that does not make her happy. I am trying to do my part though it is not always easy or feel right for me. I would love to just stay home with Kona.

I leave this Friday for Kona, Hawaii to be there for Liza’s Ironman race next week. I will be leaving little Kona with Ross and Sarah so we drove out on Sunday after church for her to become acquainted with their place. We went for a walk around their area too after the family zoom and Ross held her leash. I will miss her and I hope she will be okay and that Ross and Sarah will enjoy her.

I am discouraged about the melting turf in the backyard. Each sunny day I put towels and sheets on the grass to protect it from the burning glare of the windows. I remove them so the dog can use the grass too. I had a window fellow come and he left quickly not knowing what he could do to change the windows and prevent the problem. I am also discouraged with Tesla as they cannot seem to correct my car lease. We have never leased but Tom wanted to try it. Both our names are on the lease and all I want is for them to remove Tom’s name and they make me feel that it is a major legal situation. I had Tom’s name on one of our companies changed to mine and it took only about two days with the lawyer. I love the Tesla but the company is not customer friendly or even considerate.

I am blessed and if I lose a little sleep over these other matters, I should not complain.

Years ago Tom wanted our Stake to do an annual service project. He was told that Calgary was doing a food collection for the Food Bank and so we started the food drive in our Stake. When the coordinating counsel wanted suggestions for a BC service project Tom put our project forward as an option. It was selected and has continued to grow through the years, now including the community of BC beyond the church membership. Grocery stores, fire stations and the whole of BC know about it and can participate. His influence is felt. What a quiet, precious man. Oh, how I love him and miss him.

September 21, 2022

With the weather still sunny and warm and me not yet having a solution to my bedroom windows focusing the sun downward and melting my artificial turf, I find it necessary to place sheets and towels on the grass each day to protect it. Yesterday while picking up stones to hold the sheets down, I picked up this heart shaped stone that I had never noticed before and I decided it was a little love message from Tom encouraging me on as I deal with this frustrating yard challenge. I miss him being here to discuss such  things with and in this case I realize he would probably be handling the whole situation. I am learning and becoming stronger than I thought I could be but I still appreciate messages of love and support.

I was able to complete a number of things that I had wanted to get done this week. Kona and I got the inside of the car cleaned and vacuumed and then took it to the car wash to get the outside done. I got all my Temple clothes washed and ironed. The lawyer completed the probate paperwork for the one BC numbered company that was in Tom’s name and Cindy and Paul helped print out my copies of the changes. I had lost my gmail account while trying to print the copies out myself on the big downstairs computer. Cindy thankfully helped me retrieve that lost account after a mandatory 48 hour waiting period. I taught the resurrection portion of Myrna Olson’s primary lesson on Sunday. I made cheese and ham scones this week and shared them with the Hardy family and Jean. I also gave Jean soup left from Tom’s service as she is busy with her schooling and new job doing childcare at the Richard Bulpitt school. I took Cindy’s family A+W for dinner on Monday after Paul and Sam trimmed my dogwood tree in the back. I have enjoyed my sunflowers given me by Rosemarie and so I bought and delivered sunflowers to Jillian Collingridge Peralto as a gift from Cindy and myself as Jillian just had a new baby girl Nella. I also finally was able to have Ryan my landscaper view and discuss my burned backyard turf. He said it would get taken care of but I am still left trying find a solution to it happening in the first place. The installation of the film has not helped the problem.

My sweet ministering sisters came to visit me yesterday and dear Laurel Christensen invited me to lunch on Friday with her mother and Virginia Towers. It was very kind of her and fun to be with all those ladies.

Kona is doing better at her classes and just overall. Paul came with me last week to help out. She seemed to have injured her paw on Saturday evening as we were preparing to go for Ross’ birthday dinner. We ended up in animal emergency but she miraculously seemed to be fine by the end of the night and $200 later. Good thing she is so cute. Everyone loves her and thinks she is so sweet and she is.

Warm weather continues and I am starting to prepare for my trip to Kona to support Liza’s race. I miss Tom always but I am trying my best and have been greatly blessed even by rocks in our yard.

September 14, 2022

 I have had a week of loss and recovery. While trying to get onto the downstairs computer to print off some papers from the lawyer, I tried to reset the password etc. and I lost all my gmail. Cindy tried to help me and we were told to wait 48 hours for a code number. We received that number and she was able to retrieve it on the phone but not the IPad. She stopped after school today and got it back on the IPad too. I also had not been able to get onto my blog site and she was able to get me on that too as you can see. So grateful for all of this retrieving and for Cindy’s help.

I had been excited to get the window film put on the windows to help prevent the turf burn and the need for me to put towels and sheets on the yard every day. The two fellows came on Tuesday and I left the the yard bare that day and found a new burn stipe on the middle of the turf later on indicating that the film had not worked. I was just sick but I still have to pay for the work done. I am at a loss with this window/turf burn situation. I messaged Ryan my landscaper and asked if he could come and have a look at the situation. I feel the turf company must have some knowledge of the possibility of this happening. I would like to talk to them. I at least will not have to shut the blinds as the new film will protect my floors and furniture. 

I have worked at completing some business this week with Phil and with the lawyer regarding the probate on the BC numbered company that was under Tom’s name. I got my personal books and tithing up to date and all my Temple dresses and clothes washed. Alan Herrington’s funeral was on Friday and Paul accompanied me. It was very nice but was hard on me, more than I had anticipated. I mourn and hurt every day and I do not know if that will ever change. On Saturday I did a workshop on Temple Symbols for a Stake Primary activity for the 8-11 year olds. I repeated it three times and I enjoyed doing that. The Temple is one of my favourite topics. Rosemarie Schiemann came to visit me yesterday and brought me sunflowers and homemade pesto. People have been so kind to me. The frozen meals Joanne and I ordered for Camille and her family living at Ronald MacDonald while little Presley has her chemo treatments, finally arrived safely as the first delivery was misplaced by the RM receptionist by mistake and ruined. Batch Foods kindly replaced  the order and redelivered. 

Kona is doing better at her classes but still has the odd accident at home, does not like riding in the car and gets upset when I have to leave her in the crate when I go out. She seems to be enjoying her new hair and looks very mature and cute. She loves to sit on my lap now and really is sweet and a good girl in many ways.

The children are all back at school and getting settled back into their routines and activities. I am grateful for all of them and feel so blessed in many ways. I love our Sunday family zooms, FaceTime calls and regular phone calls. How could I ask or want for more?

September 7, 2022

 I took Kona to the groomer for the first time today. There was a mistake made and I went looking for it in Maple Ridge when it was just close to Cindy’s home. As Kona and I drove around and around trying to locate the groomer, Kona got car sick and I had to stop and clean that up. However, I finally realized the address must be in Langley and we ultimately arrived at  the correct destination 20 minutes late but she kindly took her anyway and Kona now looks a third the size but very cute. The groomer, Gabriela, told me she was good and she seemed to be fine when I arrived so I hope things went well. She was very happy to see me though. I was able to run an errand and plant some fall plants while she was getting beautiful. I have my hair cut today too but it will not cost as much as Kona’s.

Liza took the bus back to Kelowna on Thursday and she and Brendon headed out with a trailer full of furniture for Bryson who is now in Edmonton and preparing to attend UofA. They spent the weekend getting him set up and seeing that things were in order for him and his three roommates as Liza and Brendon are leasing the apartment and renting out to the others. Liza then flew back here on Sunday and drove home with the children on Monday. Breya had taken the bus here on Saturday after her work commitments were complete. The Hardy family took the two youngest for a hike and to IKEA on Friday night and the two oldest to see “Jaws” on Saturday evening while Ross and Sarah came to visit Miss Sayde and myself. They visited with Kona too. We had the Hardy’s for Sunday dinner with us.  It was a long, eventful and tiring week for Liza especially when you consider that it began with her running the Penticton IronMan race. 

Puppy classes are really not going any better. Keaton and Sayde accompanied me this last Thursday. You need more than one person with each puppy as you have to carry the crate and deal with the puppy. Plus more sets of eyes and ears can be beneficial. I just feel the instructor feels that Kona is a nervous little shy puppy that has high anxiety but I don’t think she is as bad as she thinks. She really is very sweet.

Mary Harvey quickly notified me when President Alan Herrington passed away on August 30th. He has not fully recovered since his heart surgery before Christmas and had been in the hospital for months. He had finally gotten released and then developed pneumonia. I am not certain if it was covid related or not. His body was just weak after months of illness. My heart is aching for Janice and her family. Janice wrote me that time would mend her wounded heart but I am not certain that I agree with her as you manage but you do not heal from this wrenching loss.

I am anxious to get the film on my kitchen and bedroom windows so I do not have to keep putting towels and sheets on the turf each day to prevent it from burning further when the sun is shining. I put it on and take it off the turf so the dog is able to use the grass too during the rest of the day. Ryan, my landscaper, will come and repair the grass when the windows are done.

I ordered Camille and her family five “Batch” meals to be delivered to Ronald MacDonald house where she and her family are staying while little Presley is receiving her chemo treatments at Children’s hospital. Joanne and I went together on the meals. These treatments will take several months.

Cindy met me at the bank yesterday as we closed our safety deposit box and reopened it under my name with Cindy as a signer too if needs be. I took some paperwork to a lawyer today to probate one of our numbered companies that was in Tom’s name. So much to be taken care of and I still have more to do. I do miss Tom’s great contributions to our life together in things that he took care of but mainly I just miss him. He was and is my everything.

August 31, 2022

 It is our baby Anderson’s 11th birthday today. We have missed having him in our family for all eleven of those years. His younger brothers started school this week. Colton is now in kindergarten.

Mary Harvey informed me first thing this morning that Alan Herrington passed away yesterday. Liza had talked to his niece last night and she told Liza that he had contracted covid and was on a ventilator. He has been months in the hospital following heart surgery. The heart condition had developed as a result of his earlier cancer and he was in a weakened condition. My heart aches for Janice and her family. They will have difficult days ahead. He has remained as Temple President during these months and the Mckenzies and Rempels have carried on with the Rolfsons assisting them. I am certain Salt Lake will call a new President and Matron very quickly.

Camille and her little girl Presley were airlifted down to Children’s Hospital on the weekend from Prince George. Presley has been diagnosed with lymphoma cancer and will be here having chemotherapy for several months. Camille’s husband and little Nova are staying at Ronald MacDonald House by the hospital. They drove down. We are trying to figure out how to provide them with meals.

Trevor left on Monday and Liza, Keaton and Sayde arrived on Tuesday. Sayde has an appointment at Children’s today. Liza is going to leave the children with me and return home to drive to Edmonton with Brendon. They are taking furniture to Bryson who just flew out to Edmonton to start at UofA this year. Big changes. Liza ran the Penticton Ironman on Sunday and struggled with cramping and throwing up but managed to come in fifth. Cindy and family went out to support her and help with the children. 

Trevor flew to Utah to visit Justin and family after leaving here and Tammie was meeting him there. Trevor worked while he was here starting meetings at 5AM and finishing at 2 PM. He managed to get to the gym most days, go to the North Shore for Chinese food picnic part way up Cypress overlooking the water and city (with Cindy, Sam Kona and me), attend puppy class with me, take me out for dinner on our 52nd wedding anniversary at Beatniks and attend the ward Luau with me. Ross and Sarah came to visit Saturday and we took them out for lunch at White Spot. Busy week.

Kona is doing much better with walking and riding in the car but is having more accidents in the house. I am not certain if all the company is throwing her off. I took her for a long walk today and she is sleeping now. She went to Vet for more shots on Monday.

Our Wedding Anniversary was both difficult and nice. I had a good cry in the morning and struggled with Tom not being here but I do know he is near and I am grateful for that. Mary Harvey brought me flowers and cake, Joanne called and Trevor was here for the day and took me out. I will always miss him every minute and look forward to being together forever. I love him so much and pray for him in the work he is doing.

Cheyenne left for school at Queen’s in Ottawa. We will miss her. Jean took her down. She brought me flowers and donuts and left a plant on Tom’s grave. She had dinner with Trevor and I a couple of nights and Jean also one of those nights. I had prepared food for a young mother who just had surgery and Jean and Cheyenne got to share the leftovers from my preparations with us.

Went for allergy tests myself yesterday and found I have none. I already knew that but the ENT wanted to rule that out with my chronic sinus concerns. I also picked out film to put on my windows to help prevent the turf burn problem. Busy week with comings, goings, events and happenings. I am blessed and tired but Kona does now sleep through the night!

August 24, 2022

 I have Trevor with me this week. He is able to work remotely but because his colleagues are pretty well on the east coast he is required to start meetings at 5:00AM. The upside is that he finishes his work at 2:00 PM our time. It makes for a long day for him though. His home is very busy right now with Zach and Jadyn both home, each with big dogs added to their own two dogs, and each with personal challenges. Trevor is feeling the pressure and having a little break as he visits me and then Justin and JayLynn with baby Treyson in Utah next week. It is our 52nd wedding anniversary this week and I think that is another reason he decided to be here this week with me and take me to dinner. He is turning 50 soon and dealing with midlife he decided to go skydiving yesterday and did so in Abbotsford. Exciting and he loved it!

Cindy came to puppy class with me last week and it helped to have her drive with me, hold the dog, carry the crate and just be there for support. Once more Miss Kona was shy and didn’t want to participate. She stayed in her crate but finally came out to watch and Janet felt she was making progress. She does not like driving in the car, going for walks or going to puppy school but she is improving with everything. She loves to be with me and follows me everywhere but runs if I want her to come to me. She loves to play with me and be snuggled but she is worried about what I want if I move toward her. I think that behaviour came from her first home. She is good with people and warms up to everyone quickly. Cheyenne comes to visit regularly,  the Sister missionaries came for a visit and Cindy’s family come often. We introduced her to Buddy this week and, after a little tension, they were fine. She doesn’t bark at every dog or individual we pass when out walking. I have decided that she doesn’t need to go outside in the middle of the night and she settles back down if I wake her when I go to the bathroom. I just give her one trainer treat. She is a little lover and has lots of love to give.

I am still struggling with a solution to my artificial turf melting. We know it is from reflection from the windows and I think it is the bedroom windows from the looks of it. I have had two different market umbrellas and three different umbrella bases this week and have finally decided on one of each. I am hoping that the umbrella can interrupt the light stream a little. I am looking into outdoor window film and outdoor blinds, both expensive options. It has caused me stress.

Cheyenne comes over often  to play with Kona and visit. She leaves for Queens University tomorrow and we are going to miss her. She is a sweet little spirit and just getting interested in boys. I am hoping and praying she stays close to the gospel.

I am grateful for the boy of my life and my heart and I miss him terribly. I am trying my best and hope it is enough. It is all I have to give.