February 1, 2023

 I felt good about getting the Land Titles in order last week and this week I went to Henderson’s Funeral home and organized and paid for my funeral. I am not planning on leaving anytime soon but I just wanted things paid for and in order so that the children do not have so many concerns when I do pass. Tom and I had wanted to have a plot and things in order but all we were able to do was have Tom’s name pencilled on a plot in Fort Langley Cemetery. We were grateful that Trevor found that pencilled name on the cemetery’s yellowed and torn maps that are the only records available for that cemetery. Tyrus, who helped me yesterday at Henderson’s, is kindly offering to help with my efforts to improve of the running of and maintenance of the cemetery. It has the potential to be a very lovely little cemetery but changes need to be made and I am hoping that I can put together a group of  individuals that can help make that become a reality. It always pays to think big. Tom and I dreamed of and prayed for a Temple and it came, so surely the cemetery can be beautified.

Joanne and Dave finally got over to Lethbridge after an overnight delay in Calgary. She called on Monday and is exhausted, discouraged and not wanting to stay in Lethbridge. They are at Jamie’s home and will be getting into their own place, hopefully today. Winter is not the best time to move to Lethbridge as it doesn’t show it’s best side at this time of year. She loved Victoria and her home there and just felt, with Dave and Jennifer’s encouragement, that this would be the best step to take and put them closer to Jeff.  She needs a rest as she has worked so hard to make this happen. I am praying for them.

I am working on both my church callings in the Stake YW and the Temple coordinating of the LOs. I am working to get both callings under my belt and organized in my respective books. 

Justin starts his new profession as a PT this week in Richfield, Utah. JayLynn’s health has not been good thru the move. Zach was awarded a full scholarship from the hockey commissioner allowing him to receive his MBA from a University in Nebraska. He will have to do it online while he continues to play hockey. Jack just got transferred to a new area, with a new companion and Bryson is overcoming injuries from doing his wrestling at the UofA. I am proud of our grandchildren and children, as they work hard at their schooling, missions and professions. We are very blessed.

We received a little snow yesterday and I bathed the dog today so I am trying to get her as dry as possible before having to take her outside again. She is having an afternoon nap at the moment. 

Life goes on with church meetings, Temple sessions, callings and family. I am trying to go to the Empty Nester’s FHE too but it is not something I feel eager to do. Sometimes I just want to be home and nest. It is safe and comforting there and comfort feels good.

January 27, 2023

The month of January has gone quickly, as have the last months since Tom’s passing and I am grateful that time is not dragging by because that would make things even harder. I have been busy and that pushes me and time forward.

I hit a milestone this week! I had a list of business affairs that needed to be taken care of as a result of Tom’s death. Tesla slowed their part up considerably and it took me until this month to get the lease just in my name. We never had leased before - just bought cars for cash  - and I will never lease again. Tom thought it would make the servicing easier. Tesla was extremely confusing and difficult but it is done. However, the last thing on my list was getting our home transferred to my name alone. We had it in both our names. I was dreading filling out the paperwork and going to the office in New Westminster. Cindy printed the paperwork for me, I filled it out, Lincoln Harvey reviewed it (he worked at Land Titles for years), I made the appointment and drove to New Westminster this week. It took approximately 5 minutes and was done! I almost cried. Tesla took months to do something that should have also been done in minutes. The lawyer took a couple of days to change one of our companies from Tom’s name to mine. Even hard things can be done quickly. I need to pay for my own funeral services and get the headstone, which is ordered, in place and then those things will be taken care of too. There will always be business and other concerns but these, that have been most pressing, are and in the near future will be done! I can do it!

Heather called me on the 20th to tell me that our Uncle Rex had passed. He is the youngest of Grandma and Grandpa’s children and his passing closed the doors on an era. He has been in care and not well for awhile. His funeral was in Barnwell today. Joanne, his wife has not been well either and she and Tom’s Aunt Helen are our only remaining aunts - no uncles. We are left standing next in line.

Joanne and Dave are packed up and ready to fly out of Victoria today for their new home in Lethbridge. I hate to see them go and Joanne has been shedding a lot of tears. She loves her home and Victoria but felt they needed to be near children. It is a difficult time of year to be moving. I am hoping they land in their new nest safely and are happy with the decisions they have made.

I carry on with my callings in the Temple and YW and in both areas I am endeavouring to conquer my online communication challenges. Cindy drops in to assist in those efforts and in other ways. 

I am grateful for so many things and very blessed.

January 19, 2023

 I have had a week slip away without doing my blog so I am catching up now. I think I have been catching up - period - since my return from Australia and the end of Christmas season.

I have gotten back to the Temple and also taken over the duties Sandy Anvik had as coordinator for the “living ordinances” . Tom and I called Sandy to the position and oriented her, so now, with the tables turned, I have to determine if it is harder to orient to or to do the calling. I already know that doing the calling is harder. I spent part of yesterday in the Temple with David Bigler helping me get set up with rights to access TIS on the computer. The computer part of every calling is the hardest for me and I now have to commit to conquering those fears. 

We had the first fireside for our Stake YMYW with the Stake presidency speaking and us serving the youth banana splits for refreshments. Things seem to go well. I really need to get to know the youth but that will come I am sure. I missed our first ward conference visit as I had Justin and JayLynn here visiting but I have two more to attend this month and these conference visits should help me become acquainted with the ward leaders and the girls.

Tesla said my lease transfer had gone thru and that I needed to go to their downtown location to complete more paperwork. I made my way down there on Wednesday, January 11th only to find the facility to be nearly empty but I located one sweet young man who had no idea as to what the company wanted him to do for me but he was determined to help. He finally determined that they wanted to get the insurance changed and he got permission from his boss to go ahead with that detail. His insurance people took care of those things, he changed my license plates and they sent me on my way. It appears that it is now complete. I certainly hope so because it has given me anxiety as it has been a very confusing process.

I took the dog for a much needed grooming and am still working with her on potty training. I am trying to confine her to the kitchen and family room as she seems to be fine when she is in those rooms. Her favorite accident spots are the front door area and the loft.

Justin, JayLynn and Treyson flew up on the 12th to visit me and I really appreciated their kindness. I just assumed they would be coming into the Vancouver airport and set out late on that rainy day for Richmond.  Traffic was bad and I began to ponder the logistics of them coming into Vancouver rather than Bellingham. I called Cindy and she checked into things and found that Bellingham should indeed be my destination. I did not have my passport but I did have my Nexus and Cindy looked into that as well and determined I could use it to get in and out of the USA. She also messaged Justin. Now my only problem was getting turned around and I was unable to do that until I was almost to the ferries. Remarkably, I arrived at the Bellingham airport about 20 minutes after their flight landed and we got home safely. I was exhausted but luckily had made soup and scones before leaving home, so dinner was ready. We went to the cemetery the next day and to WhiteSpot so Treyson could get a “pirate pack” and then to Costco to get some things they wanted. The next day I had Temple duty and orientation to my new calling. Cindy and Paul watched the baby and dog so Justin and JayLynn could attend a Temple session. I found Camille and her husband Daylan just ready to leave the Temple and was able to connect them with Justin and JayLynn for a quick visit. That was a miracle, as Justin and Camille have always felt close as 2nd cousins and Justin was concerned about them and what they are experiencing with Presley’s cancer. We went to church on Sunday and then I kept the baby so Justin and JayLynn could go to a fireside given by Charlie Bird and another gay church member, with Cindy’s family. They were able to spend some time with Ross and Sarah at that event. I had dinner ready when they got home and Treyson was fine. Justin had spent time studying for his PT board exam while he was here too. They packed up Monday morning and I drove them down to the Bellingham airport for their return home. They are now packing up to move to Richfield, Utah for Justin to start his new job. Tammie and JayLynn’s parents are coming to help out. I so appreciated having them but I do worry about JayLynn’s health. She is very thin and cannot gain weight with her Crohn’s disease. 

I have since been cleaning up and working with puppy’s training, as well as looking at information connected to my new Temple calling. I am trying to develop skills I do not have and accomplish things I would have had Tom take care of. Oh, how I miss him! I love him so much and just work to be worthy to be with him always. 

January 4, 2023

 We are starting a New Year, leaving 2022 behind which was my last year with Tom. In some ways I am hating to let it go but in the grand scheme, Tom is moving on with me and with our family, just in a different realm. He will never be far away, this I know. There is only one reason he spent time away from us in this life and that was Jesus and there is only one reason he would ever leave us now and that is Jesus. There is only one reason I have would ever be willing to allow him to serve and be away from us then and now and that is Jesus. It is always Jesus and all about Jesus.

We returned back to Sydney on Thursday. Max drove us in the rental car as Jacqui was back at work. We had enjoyed our time in Canberra going on the beautiful drive to the beach, visiting the animal sanctuary up in their mountains and their beautiful museums. Canberra is the capital of Australia and is beautiful with their rolling hills and mountains nearby. It is their Washington DC but much quieter and Jacqui and her family were proud to share it with us. Christmas was different there as it was hot, lacking in our usual lights and decor and Northern Hemisphere traditions but we enjoyed our time. We had fun helping Max and Jacqui decorate their new little apartment with things from IKEA that I gave them as wedding gifts and Cindy gave them as Christmas gifts. It is just nice to know where they are and to be able to picture them there.

We stopped on our way to Sydney to see where Max works and finally dropped Cindy, Sam and Paul off at their hotel. They had an earlier flight out on Friday than me and were able to spend 11 hours in Fiji and meet me at the airport when I arrived later and we continued our return to Vancouver. Max and I dropped the rental car off and then stayed at a different hotel near the airport. He got me to the airport in the morning and then took a bus back to Canberra. We gained a day as we journeyed home and arrived Friday afternoon after leaving Friday morning. Ross picked us up and got us home. Thank goodness for grandchildren. Janice had Kona out when we arrived but when they finally got here, Kona was very happy to see me and didn’t want me to put her down until Janice left.

My jet lag wasn’t bad so on Saturday I picked up groceries and started making food for New Years dinner on Sunday. Sunday we attended church and I then had Ross, Sarah, Cindy, Sam and Paul for dinner. It was nice to zoom the rest of the family. On Monday I took Christmas down and cleaned the house and by Tuesday morning, when I attended the early Temple session, I was feeling tired and sleepy. Just being in the Temple brings peace and calm. Kona and I did errands in the afternoon and then Trish came to cut my hair. I took Jean and Cheyenne out for dinner last night. I slept in today and have been catching up on things this morning. Tesla has all my paperwork now and hopefully moving forward with putting the car in my name. It has been months in coming and stressful. 

Justin, JayLynn and Treyson are coming to stay the middle of the month for a few days. Justin just graduated with his Doctor of PT last month and does not start work until February. Joanne and Dave will be coming as well as they make their move to Lethbridge the middle of the month. I hate to have them go but they feel they should be near family.

The New Year is ahead and I pray for help to make it a good year for myself and those around. I start my calling as coordinator in the Temple of female living ordinances and carry on in my calling in the Stake YW presidency. Zach is to be married in June and Rissa wants me to come visit them. I am blessed in so many, many ways - my children, grandchildren, friends, family, Tom Walker and Jesus!

December 23, 2022

 I am very behind on my blog as December has been busy with activities, church, getting ready for Australia  and coming to and being in Australia.

We are now in Canberra where Max and Jacquie live. We left Vancouver on December 16th with Cindy and Paul’s friend and neighbor Michelle driving us to the airport. Kona went from Rosemarie Schiemann to Mary and Lincoln to Janice her babysitter. The transfers were made successfully, though I had worried. We flew from Vancouver to Fiji where we had a short layover. Fiji looked beautiful and green with rolling hills. From Nadi, Fiji it was a four hour flight to Sydney where we were greeted by Max and Jaquie. They had their car and we rented another larger car so we could accommodate the six of us (Max, Jacquie, Paul, Cindy, Max, Sam and myself) and our luggage. We drove to the Temple accommodations where we would stay for two nights. We entirely lost the day of Saturday when we crossed the international date line so it was Sunday when we arrived and we needed to get groceries and eat. We then walked around the Christmas displays and lights on the Temple grounds before needed sleep.

On Monday we drove to a dock like area by the river and took a little ferry boat into the downtown area of Sydney. They weather was a mix of rain, wind, hot and cool. I loved Sydney. We went to see the opera house, the Bay Area and downtown stores and shops. The city area is a combination of the Quay, English Bay, Seattle, Vancouver and New York. I really enjoyed it and even bought a lovely dress at a cute shop. At the end of the day we retraced our steps back to the cars.

Tuesday December 20 was Max and Jacquie’s first wedding anniversary and their scheduled sealing day at the Sydney Temple.Her mother Mary, friend Maddy, as well her friend Tamara and her new husband Marcel had joined us by now. We had a lovely time in the Temple and the sealer was sweet and did well. We were missing Tom but I knew he was there and could hear his voice repeating the ordinance with the sealer. Oh, how I love him. We took pictures and had lunch with everyone before heading out to Wollongong and our our next stopping point.

Cindy had rented a cute little place near the beach in Wollongong so the next day we we did a long beach walk near our accommodations and then on another beach walk near the harbour area after first visiting a large ocean blow hole. Dear Sam had to share a room with me and my snoring. That was our Wednesday.

On Thursday after cleaning our place a little, we finally drove to Canberra where Jacquie grew up and where she and Max now live and work. Jacquie has been driving Cindy and I in the rental and Max driving the men in their car. Jacquie took us to see their new apartment and then over to her family and their home. We visited with them during the afternoon, met her father and her sister Fiona and her husband and two little ones. Once Fiona and family were off, we went to a nearby buffet for dinner with her parents. Her parents are sweet people. Her father Brian is not a church member and her two sister are not active. Sam is staying with the kids at their apartment and Cindy booked us a small rental place not too far away.

It is now Friday and we will soon be off to Costco and IKEA as soon as the children are awake and come to get us.

Before leaving Vancouver we celebrated Christmas with Ross and Sarah on December 10th and 11th. I had served my Temple shift on Saturday and then went to the Hardy home, along with Kona, to celebrate Christmas Eve with a shepherds’ dinner. They all came to my house in the morning for Christmas breakfast and presents. I had made orange rolls and Cindy made soufflé. We then all attended church. We visited Camille and family at Ronald MacDonald House in the afternoon where they are staying while little Presley is receiving her cancer treatments. They are such a sweet family.

I spent the week before we left preparing for our trip, delivering gifts and making arrangements with Janice Campbell to care for Kona. It has been a stress for me determining how to care for her while I am away in Australia. I looked into several options but then Cindy helped me connect with Janice and that seemed to be a fit. She teaches at a special school for immigrants and has the two weeks off. We decided that she would stay at my house. I tried to secure all my valuables and papers. Since we left Vancouver has had a large snow fall and I think Kona and Janice are pretty well snowed in along with the whole area.

This is my first Christmas without Tom and though my heart is aching, I am at peace and I feel very blessed. All Tom has done for me over many years and all his love continues to bless me.

December 9

 I have been struggling to find care for Kona while we are away in Australia for two weeks. Cindy had some ideas that didn’t work out. My neighbour suggested an excellent kennel that was booked for the holidays. We checked on a dog boarding site and I chose two. I made a house call to check one out and knew before I even got inside that I could not leave her there. No more to be said about that one and I cancelled the appointment to meet with the other one when Rosemarie offered to take her for at least the first week. We are still looking for other options as I hate to impose on Rosemarie but it has been a bit daunting for me and I don’t want to be a problem for anyone. I get emotional and I don’t want that either. My emotions are just on the surface these days and I miss Tom so much. 

We had our Stake conference this past weekend and it was very good. I served my Temple shift on Saturday and then Sam stayed with Kona and Cindy drove me out to the leadership and evening sessions. Elder Pingree was the visiting GA. Tom and I had been with him once when he attended the Nanaimo Stake Conference and few years ago. He is very loving and kind and again touched some emotional chords with me. When the spirit is strong it is difficult.

We have a new YW secretary, Jessica Jahn. We were needing one and she will be a good addition. We meet each Wednesday evening, usually by zoom and once a month in person. Junki is our HC representative and is always there for us and very concerned for me. I enjoy going to the Temple every week, usually on Tuesday mornings and serving my shift Saturday afternoons. I will be coordinating the female live ordinances in the new year and I am looking forward to that, though it will add another challenge for me.

I have been preparing for Christmas getting the children’s Aloha clothes from Hawaii off in the mail, making spiced almonds and orange rolls and doing a few Christmas cards. Our family has gone together to buy Presley and Nova some Christmas gifts. We hope to go to Ronald MacDonald House this weekend to deliver them pending everyone being well so we do not cause little Presley any added concerns. Joanne and Dave came to the Temple this week and I met her outside to give her my card and Christmas gift and she gave me a gift for Presley sent by their neighbour. Ibbetsons have sold their home and are now getting ready for their move to Lethbridge. Joanne is emotional.

I continue to try to have my business affairs in order. Tesla contacted me this week and helped me fill out some lease transfer forms. I have sent in credit information and hopefully, hopefully all is now in order. I have most of my bills preauthorized for payments and that has taken some effort as well as I have had to change things to my name and information. Tom did so well taking care of us and I am trying to learn.

Tammie phoned to tell me she had a vivid dream of  Tom sitting in his upstairs chair, healthy, younger, happy and visiting with all of us. Brenna and Wade Baumgartener stopped me at the Temple to tell me Brenna had a dream about Tom and Wade had mentioned Tom in a church meeting as being an example of a Christlike individual. I saw him briefly one dream. Cory Wanner told me he felt him in the Temple and Deborah Acor told me she saw him in the Temple. I feel he is near and continuing to bless lives. Oh, how I love him and miss him.

We had a big snow but it is melting with warmer temperatures and rain. 

November 30, 2022

 I missed the previous week, so this blog post will cover the last two weeks.

 I have gotten all my outdoor and indoor Christmas decorations up during the last two weeks and I received the children’s Christmas gifts from Hawaii and mailed the USA gifts on to them. The Hardy family got my outdoor lights up and I did the little trees by the front door. I have made my first batch of spiced almonds but need more Costco nuts to make some more. The tree and I almost toppled over as I was moving it, but I made it and it looks beautiful, even Sayde complimented me.

Liza and Sayde made a quick trip down last weekend  in order for Liza to attend the Temple and both Liza and Sayde to attend a play on Saturday afternoon with the Hardy Family. Liza was not feeling well on Sunday but drove home over snow covered mountain roads. I gave her vitamin C, Tylenol and lemon, honey tea before they left and then I prayed.

We received ice pellets Sunday evening which melted enough to stick together and form a sheet of ice. Yesterday afternoon and thru the night we had a snowfall of about 7 inches. My neighbor Marie had put salt on my ice and tried to get it off my driveway. Cindy and Paul came to shovel and salt a little later and my neighbor Kirk did one more shovel in the evening. Jean and a friend shovelled the worst of the snowfall off my driveway and sidewalks early this morning. I am very blessed and people are so kind. I shovelled a patch for Kona on the back turf as she has been struggling to go to the bathroom in the deep snow that now comes up to her tummy and as a result of that, having accidents in the house.

Our dear little Deborah Acor came to visit me this week and we had a lovely visit and a good cry. She misses Tom too. Jane Komm came for lunch the last Wednesday while Ron served in the Temple and brought me lovely flowers. We have people coming and going and dear Kona tries to keep up. Jean has recovered from covid and is back to her activities and shovelling my driveway and walks.

My furnace started to sound funny the beginning of last week. David Bigler diagnosed it and I called the repair people. It completely broke down two days before the repair man came on Friday but it is up and running now, thank goodness, with the change in seasons and temperatures.

I drove Sam to work one day last week and Trish came to cut my hair. I continue with my YW calling and my Temple calling. I have been asked to replace Sandy Anvik as coordinator for the female LOWs in the new year when Sandy moves to Lethbridge to be near some of her children. I am excited to fill that responsibility but will be busy.

We are still looking for someone to care for Kona and Buddy while we are in Australia for Christmas. Cindy wants someone to come to her house and care for both dogs. We need to get that settled soon.

I am still getting all our business affairs transferred to me and Cindy and Paul came over one day to help me work on my church donations and reimbursements. My utilities are pretty well under control now and Phil and Eric have been helping me with other things. Tom did so much and he is missed in every way and on every level.