We are in Lewiston!

Well, we made the move last weekend. I got computers up and running today. My sewing room is not ideal yet but functional. That's a good thing because we have received lots of orders.

I arrived Saturday just after they finished unloading the truck. By the way, for those who know how much stuff I have, I did not fit into a 26 foot truck. We went back on Sunday to retreive the rest of it. When I walked in the first time, there was a path so that you could walk through to each room but other than that it was packed in here. I have an absolutely amazing sister who stayed until we had beds to sleep in and part of the kitchen unpacked. She and her husband also helped get the rest of the stuff from the old house. Then she and her husband came on Monday to get my sewing room put together. Yesterday she worked on my kitchen, today we had to pick up some things in Logan so we haven't done much unpacking.

There are so many people who have helped out with this move. I couldn't have made it without so much help.

Mary seems to love her new school. Monday she was a little overwhelmed and wanted to move back to Salt Lake but each day she comes home with more good things.

Moving day is next week

We have been packing up and it seems like we are making headway but then I look at what still needs to be done, and I get so overwhelmed. I am so appreciative of all of the help that I have received from so many. We have taken out loads of garbage, loads to the DI, given away boxes of fabric scraps to quilters and I still have lots of stuff left over.

My bedroom is one of the last places to sort through. We will be giving a bunch of books to the Mormon Battalion for their library. I will we giving some books to our ward's lending library. I have video tapes to go through, and boxes and boxes of paper and clothing.

We have spent at least part of every weekend in Lewiston. Mary and I can't wait until we will be there full time in our own house. Mary worked on pulling old corn stalks out of the garden last weekend. Her dad taught her to love plants. She has a list of the things that she wants to put in her garden.

I took pictures last weekend when I looked at them, you can't really see anything. How do they take those pictures that are on the real estate sites? I didn't get anything of the outside because it was dark when I took pictures. I will try again this weekend.

No more rumors. We are moving

Mary and I have found a home for rent in Lewiston, UT. It is an older home and comes with a yard. The kitchen was updated recently and has oak cabinets full across 2 walls. I can put my dining table in the center of the room and my freezer and refrigerator on another wall and still walk all the way around the table. It already has an office space that will work great for Pioneer Designs. The living room is 20x40. I don't know if I have enough stuff to furnish it but we are excited about it. It has a garden space and a pasture that someone else apparently takes care of. Mary wants a pet (a cat) I am not a cat person so I'm trying to get her to go a little smaller like a gerbil or a guinea pig. The landlord will let us have outdoor animals but it gets so cold in Lewiston during the winter that I'm not sure that will work. Next week when we are up for Earl's Birthday, I will take some pictures. We are going to try to be moved in by May 1.

One Month

We have survived the first month since Earl's death. We have had some peaceful moments and some teary moments. One sweet moment: Mary told me that she had a dream about Daddy. I asked her if he said anything to her. She said "No Mom, spirits can't talk to you, they just watch." She is thinking about her baptism later this year. Right now she doesn't know who she can trust to baptize her and not leave her in the water too long.

I have found myself not doing a lot even when I have had a lot to do. I am getting better at just getting in and making myself work. My house is still a wreck but I'm making progress on the laundry. I keep hoping that the laundry-folding-fairy will come some night and my laundry will get off my couch. At least I have washed it and it is no longer a stinky mountain in front of the washer.

My landlord brought us in a new dishwasher. It really works. I guess the 3rd time is the charm. I love loading dishes in and having them come out clean.

The medical equipment company finally came and picked up the hospital bed and now I can get to my vacuum. I can't find my broom or my toilet brush so I guess I'll have to go buy new ones.

I need to find the box of tax information so that I can file my tax returns. And finally, I need to figure out a schedule so that I can do some sorting everyday along with sewing, spending time with Mary and taking care of the house.

Biggest things to learn when you experience a death in your family: Breath in and out and put one foot in front of the other. Pray always. Have patience with yourself. Healing takes time.

One thing I do know is that Earl is very busy. I don't know exactly what he is doing but I know that he has things he needs to get done as well. We both are still working toward our common goal of the Celestial Kingdom.

I picked out the headstone today. I hope I did the right thing. As a veteren, Earl was qualified to receive a military headstone. They are very simple. I wanted Earl's to say something about him. I love to walk through cemeteries and make up stories about people based on what is on the headstones. Earl and I had several dates doing just that. I want a headstone that someone could look at it and know something about him.

Back in Business

I know that many reading our blog have not wanted to contribute to the chaos, so I just want to let everyone know who may be contemplating an order, we are back and functioning. Its time to get ready for trek.

Thanks all for your concern and prayers.

Our new adventure

Its early Monday afternoon. The funeral was Saturday. I was very touched at the things that were said and the musical numbers. I planned the service, but I had no idea that at the response that I would have. I have had so many people helping me through the last week. I could never have made it through it all without so many people. Everyone has gone home. Mary is in school, although she never stopped going.

We now begin a new chapter in our lives. I keep trying to tell myself that it really shouldn't be that hard. Afterall, I was single for 38 years before I met Earl. But the reality is that Earl did come into my life and changed it forever. Going back is impossible. And now I am a single mom.

I have a mountain of stuff to sort through. There are many things that I definately want to keep. There are also many things that just need to be thrown away. However most of the stuff, falls into the really have to think about it category. I have had several people offer to help. I'm not sure that I am ready to tackle that yet. For the last eight years, Earl has done the bulk of the housework. I have to remember how to clean, do dishes and laundry. I know that it is just a matter of digging in. But then you add in the Earl factor. I can not do any of those things without thinking of him and then I start crying.

Then I wonder if I really did everything I could to keep him alive for as long as he could? Sometimes I don't feel sad at all. I actually catch myself laughing. Is that appropriate behavior for someone who's husband has just died? People ask and I tell them I'm doing okay. I think that I am and then in the next minute, I don't know if I am or not. I guess I have a lot of mental sorting as well as physical sorting.

I have orders that need to be completed. Work is therapy. Or is it escape?

Earl's Funeral Plans

The funeral will be Saturday at 11:00 at the 10th Ward Church which is on the corner of 400 South and 800 East in Salt Lake City. There will be a viewing one hour before the service.

There will be a viewing on Friday evening from 6 to 8 at the Larkin Mortuary at 260 E South Temple, in Salt Lake City

Burial will be in the Lewiston City Cemetery in Lewiston Utah. We will be travelling there immediately following the service.

I want to thank all for their kind words, thoughts and prayers throughout the day. My phone hasn't stopped ringing. So many people care so much.