9 Holes at Palmer Course

Tony did a pretty good job on the course today. Poppa said that it was a little cool to start but once they got moving it warmed up. The view is spectacular and dad said it was a little distracting. They had a good time. After golf they took a drive to Hatcher's Pass and stopped by the Matanuska River. It was a lovely day today for a drive.

Poppa is Golfing!!!

I wish I had had Tony take the camera to prove to all you golfers out there that we really DO golf in March in Alaska. The guys left after lunch to give the Palmer course a looksie. If the conditions are good they will hit a few balls. We were expecting snow today, so they might have to change their plans if it is too cold, but so far it looks promising.

I called the Canyon Hill Cemetery today and we will place mom on June 2nd. The monument company will place the headstone prior to her internment so we can see what it looks like before we leave Idaho. It could go in any time between now and June 2nd.

I have been working on the Memorial program and need to call the pastor to confirm what the church provides. Melissa's work will print them which will be great. A lot of little details to consider and work out, doing so long distance is a challenge.

God is good and it will all fall together I'm sure.

Easter Sunday

Emily Joy, Sarah Beth, Poppa & Samuel on Easter Morning

The kids pampering Poppa!

Tony's vacation was approved! Praise GOD! I am So glad he gets to come with us! No dates yet, other than the May 31st service, but I'll update as we get closer.

I went to town today and stopped at the grocery store. When I rounded the corner and saw the Mother's Day cards, I had to take a few minutes to regain my composure. I know it is normal, I just haven't had my grief creep up on me so suddenly like it did today.

It has been sunny all day today, really a beautiful day. Sam and Emily Joy have been outside biking all evening. Sam said they stopped to play some football with the neighbors. Sarah and I went to the big city and Tony worked on Pops taxes.

Nothing too exciting.....life goes on.

Boone Memorial Presbyterian Church

Corner of 14th & Dearborn Street
406 14th Avenue
Caldwell Idaho

Guest Book at Idaho Statesman

Link to view the Obituary


http://www.legacy.com/idahostatesman/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=105546645


Link to the Guestbook/view or comment


http://www.legacy.com/idahostatesman/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=105546645

You can view the obituary for 1 year and leave comments as well. Dad thought it was pretty neat!

Snow......

It is snowing softly, it is starting to accumulate on the ground but I don't think it will amount to much.

The Obituaries will be in both, the Boise Idaho Statesman and the Idaho Press Tribune this Thursday the 13th. If someone would send me an original I would appreciate it, it is fine if I get more than one as I want to send a few to folks outside the area.

I was able to reach the church (Boone Memorial in Caldwell) today, they will hold May 31st for us. That is a Saturday. I hope it works for many to attend. I will have details as they unfold closer to the date and will keep everyone informed.

Tough day today, maybe it is the gray, or the impatience I feel with myself, or being couped up with each other so long. I would like to walk on a beach somewhere and not have to take care of anyone for awhile. But I'll settle for the treadmill, in my garage, with my Ipod flooding my head with music.

Monday Monday

Sweet Pea

Today I took dad to the doctor. We wanted to establish a relationship so that if he needs to see someone in the future we would have someone on board. Dr. Boston is from Idaho, Spokane and Utah. He walked into the room and as he shook dad's hand he said, "Caldwell Idaho, well I won't hold that against you." Exactly what dad would've said...so they were instant buddies. They talked potatoes, steak and golf. Dr. Boston was telling dad that he could play golf on the lake that is in our back yard, or a stones throw from our back yard. Dad liked that. He also agreed with dad that if he wanted to eat steak and white potatoes that this old dog could. I was thinking we might lighten the load of diabetes meds by altering his diet a tad, but the doctor has spoken and if dad wants to eat red meat and white potatoes, I am willing to make them. He told dad he had less than 10 yrs to live probably and so he might as well enjoy it. Dad liked that!

Dr. Boston is an internist, a D.O. Doctor of Osteopathic medicine. He is a young, married man well thought of in the medical community here. He is also the chief of emergency medicine at the new Hospital where Tony is employed, Mat-su Regional Medical Center.

Sam has his dirt bike out and is ready to roll. He met two young moose during yesterday's ride. He drew me a diagram showing how he had to slide around it, it was an exciting moment, one this mama is glad she didn't witness. The two moose showed up in our side yard later in the evening and appeared to be siblings. They are such weird creatures.

The sun was out today, and although I'm fighting a cold, it was a pretty good day.

It is spring break here, and although we aren't following the public school schedule we did have a much lighter day. I spent most of it on the phone with Social Security, The Office of Personnel Management, the Insurance company, Idaho newspapers and two hospital billing departments.

The obituaries should be in both newspapers, Idaho Statesman and the Idaho Press Tribune this Thursday the 13th. You need to start a savings account to pay for your obits, whew it's robbery!!

No word yet on a Memorial Service date..I'll call the church tomorrow and keep everyone posted.

Grief

Grief

Can't wiggle out of it

Can't pray it away

Can't pretend it doesn't exist

Can't be too busy for it

It stands

Smack dab in the middle of the road

It expects you to walk through it

It is sticky

It is heavy

It takes time

It makes you slow down

It doesn't let go

Just when you think it is over

It laughs at you as yet

another wave hits

I wonder when it will be over

Bright and Beautiful Days

From Pam's Church

From Uncle Gerry & Aunt Sherry

From Pam's friend Rayann

Dad and I have received some very touching and heart felt sympathies. Everyone is being so kind and sharing precious stories how mom touched them. One of mom's co-workers shared how they used to find neatly folded napkins with a little piece of leftover toast on it at their desks. Apparently mom used to take her toast and coffee around the office and forget where she put them. It made me laugh because she has always been a toast fan. We always find neatly folded pieces of papertowel or napkin with a coffee cup circle and a few crumbs or piece of toast. Silly memories.

Question

We are talking a bit more about the service. If you know of a conflict that you have between April & the end of June, could you let me know. I'd like to see as many of you dear ones as possible but understand life goes on, so no hard feelings if we can't accommodate every one's schedule. I just want to try as best we can since we have the time to do so.

We had a quiet weekend. Everyone is a bit numb. I find myself doing really brainless things and of course the puddling continues. Dad is staying busy, but he's waking up at 5AM and doesn't get back to sleep until 7AM. I recommended he read a bit or jot down the thoughts he's having, get all that out of his brain so he can rest.

I'm finding that obituary writing is not my gift. And research is just confusing me more, some put brother and sister in laws in parentheses, with no last name or location, others list each grand child's name. Some spend more lines on remembering her life and not the people who have proceeded or who survived her. ugh..I'm putting it down for the night and will give it another go tomorrow.