Update

We just made a monumental decision.  We are leaving our mattresses behind.  They are about 20 years old and it is time to replace them.  Why repack the van to just have to get rid of them anyway!  So relieved.

I ran across my yellow silk that my father had brought home to me from Korea, in a very moldy box.  It is musty smelling but doesn't seem to have any mold on it per se.  I will get it cleaned when I come back from Denmark and then Marianne and I will make Roman shades for the yellow room with it!  I would love being able to look at this beautiful material when ever I wanted too.  There is not enough to make anything like a dress with - so this will be the perfect solution.  Just really like that idea.  Maybe some throw pillows too.

Back to work.  I have some cleaning up to do.  I also have to get my silver bracelet that my daughters and husband gave me for Mother's Day 9 years ago.  I had it polished and cleaned by a very good friend so it is ready for the trip.

When I was in YW

When I was in Young Women, we had Beehives, Mia Maids and Laurels and the organization was actually called MIA (hence Mia Maid).  I was sorting through some last minute things we had strung around and one was a small box of pictures and mementos.  In that box was "The Spirit of the Hive" on a small card.  As I read through this little motto we recited every week - I was astonished at how close it resembled the YW motto that they recite now.  We think there are such big changes and yet when you look between the lines, the changes are subtle.  I found that fascinating.  My daughters and nieces learned the same things that my sister, Marianne and I learned - just in a different way. 

We are living in an empty apt.  There is the bed, 2 bedside tables in our room, a computer desk (that I have loved, Pam and Chris) and our recliners.  We are going to try and stay here until Tuesday when they pick up the trailer.  I don't want to be too far away from our stuff.  Where we are right now, we could hear someone monkeying with it.  Today Clyde has to clean out our storage stuff in a basement across the compound.  We had a friend bring his truck to do it yesterday but it was pouring and didn't make sense.  Thankfully he and another friend helped take out the bulk of what was left in the apt.  Today I sort through spices and start giving food away.

Moving Day Has Arrived!

I can't believe this is really happening until I try and find a place to sit down and there are none!  I am overwhelmed but know that we can get this done one step at a time.  We are going to try and stay in the apt until Tuesday when the van leaves.  It should be interesting since I have nothing to measure with and am quick running out of pans because of Clyde's diligent packing.  If I can get through this, I can get through anything.  We leave Rhode Island on Thursday sometime.

Happy Birthday, Anneke!

Today is our granddaughter, Anneke Susan Bahlmann's birthday.
 
Anneke, happy 9th birthday.  I use your birthday as a milestone for all sorts of things in my life.  We had lived in Rhode Island one year when you were born.  Grandpa and I had just been called to be Ordinance Workers in the Boston Temple.  When I got home from taking care of you and your family, I cut my hair all off and gave it to Locks of Love.  I cannot believe how fast the 9 years have flown and now we will use you birthday as another milestone.  We are now packing up to leave Rhode Island.  We will be there to see you sometime around August 11.  We will go and get your birthday present then.  We love you and are proud of you!  (This was the only fairly recent picture I had of you.  Hope you don't mind showing off your feet!)

The Sabbath Day

Last week as part of our farewell talk (2 weeks before the fact), I spoke about keeping the Sabbath Day Holy.  I dwelled on the wonderful things that we could do and not on the don'ts.  I felt like that is what everyone talks about.  I gave one of my favorite quotes from Spencer W. Kimball about what we could do.  On the list were visit the sick, administer to the sick, do your home teaching or visiting teaching, work with the missionaries, comfort the lonely.  Obviously attending your church meeting and partaking of the Sacrament was on there too.  Yesterday, Clyde and I started the day by reading the Book of Mormon, listening to a Conference Address in Danish, picking up a brother for church, putting out the closing hymn (we sang "Faith in Every Footstep"), teaching our Primary class, attending choir, visiting a friend in the hospital so Clyde could give him a blessing (that took a couple of hours because of distance), coming home, having a bit to eat, Clyde went home teaching while I visited with his sister, Susan.  Just as I was going to go and get ready for bed, the Elders showed up.  We ended up visiting beyond the time they should have been out but then they just live across the street.  It was a very spiritually uplifting day.  I am glad it was packed because I might have found reasons to keep packing and I really wanted to avoid that on the Sabbath. 

Update: We get the trailer delivered this week for the move.  We will pack Friday and Saturday, finish up on Monday and they pick our load up on Tuesday.  We will clean the apartment but only as much we have too because they are gutting it after we leave and starting over fresh.  We leave for Texas on August 1, probably in the afternoon.  We are hoping to get to Roanoke VA the first evening and then Little Rock, Arkansas the second.  That will put us in Kerrville on Saturday the 3rd.  We will continue to update as we move along.

Happy Birthday Clyde!

Today is my sweetheart's birthday.  We have been in love for 42 years!  We were engaged for a year before we got married (not something I recommend) and got married in December 1972.  I am getting excited about our mission.  I am luckier than most missionaries.  I know who my companion will be AND I know we get along and work well together.  Happy Birthday Clyde.  I hope we share many more together!

How I Spent My Day!

This morning when I woke up I felt off.  I thought my blood pressure was high and checked it.  It was 175/101.  When Clyde and I were having morning prayers, I started sweating profusely and became very light headed.  My next wonderful symptom was that out of body experience you get sometimes with Migraines.  Clyde asked me if I needed to go to the Emergency Room and I thought it would be a good idea.  By the time I got to the ER, my blood pressure was 192/100.  They put me in the Cardiac Room and started monitoring me.  The conclusion  (after 10 hours) - I have high blood pressure.  I am not sure why all of the sudden my meds are not quite working like that should.  It could be stress but that has never affected me before.  I go see the PA in my Dr's office tomorrow.  Maybe she will have a clue.  I am fine but my pressure is still elevated.  No salt today.

A Big Flaw!

I have discovered something about myself.  When I am overwhelmed, I fold up and quit.  I am feeling that right now and I so badly just want to curl up on my bed until this move is all over and take one thing off my plate.  I hate moving!  I don't know why we have to keep doing it.  (Sorry Heidi and Heather - but I feel your pain!)

I am getting giddily excited about our mission though and that is what keeps me going.  Until we get out of here - then we can't go on this exciting new adventure.  I guess I will get up and move forward after all today.

Roll-ups

I have had a personal trainer for the last year.  For most of that year she has been trying to get me to do a free form roll-up instead of anchoring my legs against the wall or with a 5 pound ball.  Today Karen told me she would not let me move until I did one.  Right after that I did (I was hoping I wouldn't because I am tired of packing!).  So now obstacles of moving are out the way.  This week we get our last shot for the mission.  Wow!  Things are happening fast.

Lists

I am a list maker and note jotter.  However this morning when I was trying to find a phone number, I realized I had too many lists.

There is a quote that says: "Lists are the ladder to achieving your goal."  Clyde said with all my lists, I should be a great achiever or terribly confused.  I think I am on the path to terribly confused.  Somehow I have got to consolidate my lists or just throw them away and start over!

The Big Test

Today, Clyde and I start speaking nothing but Danish around our home.  I have a feeling it is going to be a very quiet month!  We need this though in order to be prepared for our mission.  I can't believe we only have 1 month left in Rhode Island.  It is a bit mind boggling.  We are getting packed and clearing out.  The YW are having a yard sale at the church this Saturday.  We are trying to get things out of here that we don't want and are worthy to sell.  That helps us immeasurably.  I am starting to get quite excited about our new adventure.