How fun

Looks like all of my grandchildren that live close by are spending the night here tonight.  Now - what for breakfast?!

Hip Hip Hooray!

The tests I took today confirmed benign cysts.  I am so relieved.  I almost burst into tears when they told me.  I was only there for an hour.

I now have most all of my Christmas books in one section of the basement.  Tomorrow it will be putting all of the fiction books in one area.  Then in the afternoon we are heading as a Utah Family to Thanksgiving Point to the Ancient History museum.  Should be a fun afternoon.

Now I need to focus on getting my knees done.  Life is good.  Carianne's surgery is on Wednesday.  Pray all goes well.

Miracles and other news

I don't think Carianne will care if I share her good news.  Her liver has not fat on it and is down to normal size!  Her only health problem is she needs her gall bladder out.  It is nothing but a miracle.

I have been sorting through a few things.  I have not felt really good today because I had to be fitted for a crown on the bottom left side of my mouth.  I have been numb all day (it is very close to the root).  I keep pulling putty out of my mouth but feeling a lot better than I usually feel after a visit.  Hopefully there will be no repercussions tomorrow.

I finally got most all of the DVD's sorted and alphabetized.  We will keep the TV up here for the time being.  I still do not do stairs with the greatest of ease.  Hopefully we will get the media room set up down stairs in the next year or two.  It has been a good day.

A little bit of news

About a month ago - I went to have my mammogram done.  There was a question and so my old records were ordered from Rhode Island.  It turns out I have another spot that they are concerned about.  I will go in next Monday and have new pictures taken with a sonogram, etc. with the radiologist that comes down once a week.  Please pray that it is just an anomaly and nothing serious.

Rain and very close lightening

We had severe thunderstorms late this morning and early  this afternoon.  The lightening was so close it would almost flash with the thunder!  Evie was here with Heather and she was sure glad to cuddle up with her mom and be safe.  Heather and I picked another gallon of peas and some carrots.  I sent them home with her.  We also ran to the Norbest outlet store and I got some ground turkey,  turkey pastrami and turkey steaks.  We also got some turkey jerky but it was a bit 'wet' - not dry like you expect jerky to be.  It was really good though.  Then we went to the Conoco station in Moroni to the little food place in the gas station and got Sanpete Barbecue sandwiches.  I wish we had only gotten 1 because that was more sandwich than Clyde and I could ever eat alone.  Clyde, Bella and Brandon went and helped my bonus mother, Doreen out with some baptisms at the temple.  It is sunny and beautiful now.  It has been a good day.

Another busy Thursday

I got up this morning and fixed breakfast, did a load of wash and worked on my Sunday School lesson.  At 10:00 I went out and  picked peas for an hour. I came in started shelling five quarts of peas (and that is not all of them).  Fixed lunch and Clyde came and helped me finish shelling the peas - it took another hour.  We got 2 quarts of  peas put away.  Now the carrots are coming on fast and furious.  I will be busy for quite a while now getting this food put away.  I think the lettuce and spinach are over for this year.  Sure was good while it lasted.

Sunday School lesson

I have been preparing for my Sunday School lesson for Sunday.  The title is "To this end was I born."  There is a wonderful video from seminary in the 90's that is suggested to be shown but as I was looking through the lesson, I found this quote from some supplemental material.  It has really made me ponder - in the temple and as I have gone through my activities today.  I put it out there for you to think about.

Heber J. Grant:  "There is but one path to safety for the Latter-day Saints, and that is the path of duty.  It is not a testimony, it is not a marvelous manifestation, it is not knowing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that it is a the plan of salvation, it is not knowing that the Savior is the Redeemer and that Joseph Smith was His prophet - that will save you and me;  but it is the keeping of the commandments of God, living the life of a Latter-day Saint."

I have had a smile or two over this.  For some reason, Pirates of Penzance music has been running through my head.  The theme of that play is 'duty first'.  I will try harder to keep the commandments and do my duty.

A wonderful reunion

This afternoon the Kilt's family (our neighbors in Ephraim for a few years) came over so Heather could take pictures of the family before Sam leaves for his mission.  It was a fun time - even though we were having severe thunderstorms at the time - with hail.  It finally broke enough for a family portrait in front of the old barn out back.  Heather also took some of them in the atrium and the formal living room.  Such a fun afternoon.  It has been a good day.

Thanksgiving Point

Today we went to the Curiosity Museum at Thanksgiving Point.  We went with the Bahlmann family and Evie.  Heather went to get her hair done and Bella has a full time babysitting job she had to 'tend' too.  We got there at 10:30 and left after 2:30.  It was so much fun and the grandchildren had a ball.  It was a great 'family day.'

Happy Birthday Dutch and America!

Aside from being the Nation's birthday celebration - today is my grandson, Dutch Davis' seventh birthday.  We had a wonderful birthday celebration yesterday.  Pam and Chris rented a water bouncy house (a shark house) and the kids played on it for hours!  Such a fun day to be reunited with family and friends once more. 

This morning we went to the Manti Park and listened and watched Ovation - with our granddaughter Bella Nordell being one of the performers.  Plus I saw several old friends from yesteryear.

This evening for the Manti Parade - we sat with the Bahlmann's and saw our granddaughter Evie Nordell, leading a miniature horse in the parade.  She was in heaven!  Such a fun day. 

Just Jammin' here!

My blood sugar has been on the high side ever since we got home.  I love bread and jam and this has been my biggest vice.  Whole grain bread only has 15 grams of carbs per slice but 1 teaspoon of most commercial jams is like 25-36 grams.  So Heidi and her kids helped me with 2 kinds of jam and Heather and everyone else helped with 1 more.  They are sugar free or low sugar.  One has a bit of granulated sugar (2/3 less than most freezer jam recipes) and one used sparkling apple juice for the sugar and the one we made today had honey and a Granny Smith Apple in it.  I can't decide which one I like best.  They all have multiple types of berries.  The one today was strawberry and blackberries, the 2 yesterday were raspberry, strawberry, blackberry and blueberry.  I think we have had a successful two days.

Tomorrow we are off to Sandy to celebrate our grandson, Dutch's, seventh birthday.  Should be fun to be with so much of the family again.

A Busy Day

This morning, Clyde went and helped take down chairs from the Mormon Miracle Pageant.  He came home about 8:00 and we ate breakfast.  We then headed to Provo to take a garbage bag of stuff to Deseret Industries, pick up Clyde's suits from Men's Wearhouse (they look marvelous on him) and then to get other errands taken care of.  I got a food mill to puree fruit for jam and jelly.  We got a new thermostat because our keeps trying to freeze us out (it flips to 60 degrees in the middle of the night for no reason.)  We got some KILZ so we can start repainting the guest bath on the main floor and then went to Costco.  We got home around 3 p.m.  We haven't been up north  for over 2 weeks - a record for us since we got home.  However because it is our grandson, Dutch Davis' birthday - we are going up again on Friday.  Good reason I would say.

Clyde has our kitchen about 3/4 finished.  It is a creamy yellow color with one accent wall that is a brighter yellow.  We both love it.  I did have Clyde save the inside of the spice cabinet the blue that was the original color my Grandma Sarah always had.  I love opening that cabinet and letting the memories rush in.

Yesterday...

Yesterday was my grandson Nathanael Pfiester's birthday.  He turned 13.  We thought about him all day but seemed to have one things after another happen.  Nathanael - you are so special to us.  We are thankful for such a special person to be a part of our family.  Have a wonderful year.

We got up yesterday and Clyde continued to try and figure out the sprinkling system for this house.  There is a leak and so far it has been like finding a needle in a haystack,  Heidi and I weeded in the gardens - Heidi much longer than me.  We had a lunch together and spent the afternoon with our Nordell granddaughters and a few extras.  At 4:30 we headed over to the Pageant dinners and cashiered again.  We got home at 9. 

We were supposed to have Mallory spend the night tonight but during dinner she had a major meltdown.  She is so tired.  Pageant has been hard on that little one but just two more times and life will go back to normal - or as normal as summer time lets it.

A Memorable Day

At 9:30 this morning, I went in for a mammogram.  I have not had one in over 2 years because of the mission.  I thought all was well until this afternoon when they called to see where I had had other mammograms done.  They need to look at my old results to see what those results were.  I must admit I have been a little off ever since that phone call.

We had a funeral at noon so we decided to go and get our Utah drivers license taken care of.  We finished that at 11:57  and headed to the Ephraim Stake Center.  We are now official residents of Utah. 

It was the funeral for Marie Beacham.  It was a sweet tribute.  We saw a lot of old friends and renewed acquaintances that we had not seen in over 12 years.  So much fun. 

At 3 p.m. - we headed to a nearby restaurant for something to eat and came home to get anything taken care of we would have done this morning.  Now, my grandchildren are weeding or watching TV, waiting for our bat watch this evening at 9:20 or so.  I love having these amazing young people so close.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all of the wonderful men in my life.  My son-in-laws are some of the most incredible fathers I have every met.  I am truly blessed by being surrounded by honorable men.

We have been very busy.  Friday we said goodbye to Cyndi Allen Peterson and her family.  It was so fun to have that time with one of my favorite cousins. 

Last night we helped cashier at the turkey dinners at the Armory here in Manti.  We bought some extra turkey for dinner today and boy am I glad we did.  It sure made dinner easy today.  I also saw some really fun people I had not seen in years! 

 I have had a migraine since 2:30 this morning.  It will be an early night tonight.

Fun times

Yesterday Cyndi and Eric Peterson came with Maggie and Roxy and Maggie's boyfriend, Brandon.  Charlie Allen, Cyndi's brother came down from Alpine and we had a wonderful visit.  The Peterson/Allen group went to the Mormon Miracle Pageant.  They left this morning.  We had a wonderful visit.  It was so fun to be with family and spend time with them again. 

Starting to make the house ours

Today the last of the furniture that we bought has arrived.  We now have 2 head boards in the yellow room and two end tables in the family room.  I also bought some latex pillows for a better nights sleep.  Things are falling into shape.

Last night was the first time I had been to the Mormon Miracle Pageant in almost 16 years.  It was fun to see so much of our family on the hill.  That made it even more special.

Today in the temple we ran into Ralph Brenchley - our former stake president in Ephraim.  So fun to visit with him.  We have been busy getting ready for company tomorrow and doing things for pageant.  Life goes on.

Dr Visits

Clyde and I needed physicals, and a TB test.  We spent the late morning and early afternoon in the Doctors office.  I visited with Bob Armstrong and then Helen Parry came in to help me with my diabetes.  It was like old home week - our kids all hung around together all of the time during High School.

I am on a new diabetes Rx.  We will see how it works.  Life is good.  Bella was here quite a bit today.  I so love that.

Saturday and Sunday

There are advantages to having a large garden.  My husband brings me in fresh flowers every morning.  It is fun.  We also have an abundance of lettuce, spinach and radishes.  I am afraid everything else will come in all at once and we will be overwhelmed.

Tomorrow is my first Gospel Doctrine Class.  Busy trying to get ready.

Sunday: My lesson went well.  I got nervous and wanted to present everything.  I need to slow down and go with the Spirit.  I will get into stride soon.

We had just the Bahlmann's and Doreen for dinner.  We had chicken roll-ups or chicken pillows as the my Davis grandchildren call them.  They were a big hit.  For dessert we had huckleberry cobbler and Luke had 3 servings.  However Mallory had a chicken roll up and liked it.  It was successful meal.  The Nordell's were celebrating Brandon's dad's birthday.  We will see them soon.

Same Old, same old

Life is getting more and more mundane.  This is a good thing too.  We get up and work in the cool of  the morning and then kind of slow down for the rest of the day.  Then we go out and work in the evening, when things cool down.  However today was spent buying new blinds for the upstairs bedrooms, getting Clyde a new suit (we ended up getting 2), me a new temple dress and some new lamps for the downstairs.  It was an expensive day but we got things that we needed.  All and all a good day but I am dehydrated and have a pounding headache now.  I can think of so much to do but no energy to do it.  Tomorrow will be another day.

A busy and fun day

This morning we went to the temple and I ran into a couple - the Killians - that I was friends with in high school here in Manti.  We had a fun reunion.

Then my 'baby sister' Aleta Breakwell came and we had lunch with Heidi, Heather and Bella.  We stayed in the restaurant for over 2 hours and then visited here for another 3.  So much fun.  I spent over an hour weeding the garden and then fixed a light supper.  So tired.  Looking forward to going to bed tonight.

We have Bats!

Last evening - at sunset, the Bahlmann's, Nordell's and Clyde and I watched the house to see if we had bats.  We have about 200.   They were noisy and amazing.  I never realized that bats were so noisy.  In truth, if this wasn't going to be so costly to eliminate - it would be a truly awesome sight.  I kept seeing dollar signs as the bats flew out of the house.

I have not felt well for a couple of days.  I just want to sleep.  Maybe I have finally hit the wall and just need to get my strength and health back.  Tomorrow is our temple day - looking forward to that.

Sabbath and Family

This was one of the first Sundays that we had only the Bahlmann's, Nordells and Doreen for dinner.  It was so much fun.  I love that we get to have so much family time together here.

I forgot to mention yesterday what my most memorable memory was.  When I saw Sam Kilts for the first time in over 10 years, I started to introduce myself.  He looked at me and enveloped me in a hug and said, "I know who you are.  You are my Grandma Bailey."  I cried.  He was the first person to ever call  me Grandma.  So special.  I am hoping to be able to go to his farewell on June 21.

Family Road Trip

This morning we got up early and headed to the Bountiful Temple to see Josh Kilts marry Rebecca.  It was beautiful and I now add another temple to our list.  The Spirit was strong and I could once again feel my father's presence.  It was wonderful.

We meandered home a bit - stopping and getting things that we needed as we headed home.  Heather and Heidi had to be back for practice but I think it got rained out.  Not sure though.  Was an incredible day. 

Looking forward to tomorrow

This morning we went to the dentist and found out we both need crowns on the teeth he tried fix.  Not looking forward to that expense.  We went to Walmart and bought another crock pot.  One is just not enough to feed our families when they all gather anymore.

The numbness in my mouth finally completely left about 6 this evening.  My head is pounding and I want to go to bed so badly.

Tomorrow is our old neighbor - Josh Kilt's - wedding day.  Heather Heidi, Clyde and I are all driving up to the Bountiful temple to see our wonderful friends again.

Radishes Galore

The Bahlmann's, Clyde and I harvested over 1 pound of spinach and almost 2 pounds of radishes from the garden - the first picking of the season.  The radishes are very sweet but spinach did not go with our dinner.

We went to the temple and did a session and then sealings afterwards.  It was wonderful to be there but for the first time since I have been home, I cried over the loss of my father.  Dad spent all the time he could in the temple and I could feel him there.  Plus there were many who recognized me as President Brugger's daughter.  It was a bittersweet experience but worth it. 

We had the Bahlmann's over for dinner.  Heather, Heidi and I went and picked up some kitchen things for a wedding this weekend.  It has been a good day.  Now the families are all off to practice for The Mormon Miracle.

The Pfiesters Went Home!

We had a last day with the Pfiester's at Thanksgiving Point.  ALL of the cousins were together for the first time in 4 years and it was joyous.  We were a bit late going home.  I had new lenses coming in and my lenses broke the bit, then the bit would not go all of the way through and they had to get a longer one.  Turned out the lenses slipped while being drilled and the holes were off.  They had to order new glasses!  I will wait a few more days to see.  However it has been a wonderful day.  We got a grandparent pass to Thanksgiving Point and will take the grandchildren up in the next few weeks to go to the museums in the next few weeks.  We were there a few minutes 'on the farm' and Evie and Luke got to ride the 'pony go round'.  Looking forward to a good nights sleep!

It has been an interesting day,,,

We went up to Manti Lasal National park and Nathanael started throwing up.  He has been sick ever since.  It is not a good forecast for tomorrow when the Pfiester's leave for Texas.  We are praying.  The rest of us have had a wonderful day playing and spending time together.  We will have to wait and see what happens with the illness aspect and go from there.  It has been a great weekend though.

So Blessed

This weekend I have Carianne and her 3 children, Heather and her family and Heidi and her family.  Pam came to be with her sisters and we had a giggle fest and a wonderful time thus far.  Tomorrow will be our last full day together and we say goodbye on Tuesday afternoon.  I am truly so blessed and so grateful for this wonderful time together.

New Computer and other news...

Last Thursday we got a new computer.  It has not let me get onto my blog - so I am using the old one.  It is a pain to get used to a new computer.  Nothing is where it should be.

We went Friday and then Saturday to Becks in Mt Pleasant and bought a houseful of furniture in anticipation of company the next few weeks.  We got a wrap around couch, recliner, end tables and new bed and mattress for Clyde and me and upstairs bedroom furniture for two bedrooms (the pink room and the yellow room).  We have just a bed in the third bedroom upstairs.  Our daughter, Heather wants to decorate it.  Things are falling into place.

This last weekend we had Pam and her family, the Bahlmann's were still moving out and the Nordells most of the weekend.  Evie spent the night Saturday night and Sunday night with the Davis boys.  Bella came over Sunday night to spend time with her cousins.  Yesterday we had all 8 grandchildren most of the morning.  Heather and Heidi both were hit with the stomach flu this weekend.  They were feeling some better yesterday but still washed out.  I fed them lunch and not long after that everyone went home.  It was interesting to have the house to ourselves.  I miss the noise and the help.  I will continue to try and get onto my blog but if I have to I will start a new one.

Home for 3 weeks

I can't believe we have been home for 3 weeks now.  Mallory and I are hanging out together.  She had a meltdown during dinner and I have had a migraine since I had my eyes dilated this morning - we stayed home from Marcus' choir concert.  We are having a bit of down time.

Tomorrow we get our protective package on the car and it is also Andy's birthday.  Another busy day on the horizon.

A busy day

This morning we went to get new drivers licenses and found out we had to take the test - so we are now studying the book so we can pass.  It dawned on me today that my eyes would not let me pass the vision test.  I have an eye appointment tomorrow - I will take it when I get new glasses.

We went to Richfield to cash our checks with Heidi and Andy and Mallory.  UPS in Richfield no longer cashes checks.  Bummer - but we did go to Ideal Dairy for lunch and Deseret Industries to get rid of a trunk load of junk!

This evening we took my Bonus Mother - Doreen Brugger - to have a cataract removed from her right eye.  Things went well.  She is resting tonight and all should be well in the morning. 

A Wonderful Sabbath Day

Today was such a wonderful day.  It was our homecoming and we had family and friends from as far away as Salt Lake City.  It was so fun to see people that we had not seen in years.  Our talks went well and for the intermediate hymn we sang "Called to Serve".  Clyde and I sang the first verse in Danish and then our grandchildren and Heidi and Andy - sang the second verse in English. My bonus mother - Doreen - played for us. It was fun. Many came over and shared two pots of 8 bean - barbecue chili.  We had so much fun and we ended up with several groups  in the house and in the atrium just enjoying each others company.  Heather, Heidi and Pam were all here with their families. 

It is going to be good to be in this ward.  I already feel a part of it. 

Tomorrow will be busy day.  We need to go and look into new drivers licenses (for Utah), run to Richfield and deposit a few checks we have received (and possibly stop at Ideal Dairy for lunch).  We also have a carload of things for Deseret Industries - to donate.  Today I was able to pawn off on my niece some goblets and to my sister some pieces for her china.  I love de-cluttering.

We were able to have almost an hour of time just with our grandson, Dutch Davis.  That was very special.  We have amazing grandchildren.  We are very blessed

We are settling in.

We got a membership to Costco today.  We needed a lot of paper products and some things for the homecoming this weekend - so we bit the bullet and rode up to Spanish Fork with Mallory, Heidi and Andy.  Had a very pleasant day and Mallory was a good traveling companion.  Fruit snacks and dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets were the impulse buys because of Mallory.  She also wanted a hammock and The Aristocat movie !

Heidi and Andy will be closing by midweek next week.  We will miss them but it is time to move on with all of our lives.

It has rained, hailed, we have had freezing rain and now the sun is out.  I came looking forward to warm temperatures and have been more chilly than in Denmark.  We do need the rain and so I will not complain.

Another cold windy day

This morning started out warm and promising but eventually the rains came and we were all forced inside.  This was a good thing because we got the atrium all worked out and things put away.  Heidi and Andy's closing was delayed so they will be with us into next week.  I don't mind.  I have enjoyed having the grandchildren around and being with so much family.

Doreen and I - along with Mallory and Evie - planted over 100 potato plants and 4 rows of corn.  The radishes and other things that were planted a couple of weeks ago are starting to break through.  It will soon be time to thin them out.

We are well - at least we are working to becoming 100%.  Hopefully soon.

Moving in - still and forever

I must have pushed too hard yesterday because I have had a bit of a relapse.  Nothing major but just no energy.  I can't wait to get on top of all of this muck.  Unpacked a few more boxes and slept. 

Felling Better

We did no unpacking today.  We got our teeth cleaned and made appointments for some work.  Then we went up to Lehi Roller Mills to get some whole wheat so I can used my new grinder and start making homemade whole wheat bread.  That will happen tomorrow.  We also went to Lowe's and bought lamp harps and new electrical systems for some lamp bases we inherited somewhere along the line.  They look nice in the family room.  Then we went to RCWilley - a furniture store that has just opened a new store - expecting deals.  We found none.  We will do just as well at Beck's furniture in Mt Pleasant (about 20 miles from here) and we will be supporting a local business as well.  We like that.

I am feeling a lot better than I did all weekend.  Hopefully I am over all of this junk and can move forward  with a clear head (literally!).

Mother's Day 2015

It is Mother's Day and it has been so wonderful to be with family.  Pam, Heather and Heidi are here with their families and it has been wonderful.  BUT I have managed to get a chest cold on top of my sinus infection - so one is viral and the other is bacterial.  I can't seem to win.  Tomorrow we go and get our teeth cleaned.  I hope I am up for this.  I have got to get better - there is too much to do.

Rain Rain - come and stay!

It has rained every day since Sunday and we love it.  We need the water so badly because of the draught that has stricken this area for the last few  years.  No snow so no snow cap in the mountains.  This has filled the creeks and brought life giving rain to the garden.

Hopefully this evening I will see 3 of our daughters.  It will be good to see Dane and Dutch.  It will be a good weekend.

Run Around

This morning I drove!  I went and picked up a prescription for Clyde, went to Jensen's to see if they had Merrills for Clyde and stopped by Manti Telephone to add caller ID.  A little while later Clyde and I went and got his Merrills and then we wandered into the Bosch store.  We bought a high quality wheat grinder and headed to Maple Leaf in Ephraim to get some wheat.  The 'food' store has turned into a gift store!  No more healthy foods there.  Now we have to get some wheat from somewhere.  However while at the store we ran into Darlene Stevens and had a wonderful visit with her.

Clyde and I came home - had lunch and then our Sunshine called.  She and I visited for a while and then on to the  next thing.  I am quite tired tonight but then I never did have time for a nap.  I should sleep well tonight.  This is going to be a good experience.

Moving Right Along...

I am feeling some better.  I still get tired very easily but we are making progress.  I will have the 'sun room' cleared out by this evening.  Clyde unpacked several boxes of kitchen stuff out there and now I get to put it away.  I also did several loads of wash and put clothes away.  I am also giving a lot of stuff away to Deseret Industries.  It feels good to purge now what I know I can get by with so little. 

Clyde is still struggling with his bronchitis and sinusitis.  I keep hoping he will bread down and get an antibiotic but so far  he wants to tough it out himself.  Yesterday he was in bed most of the day with fever.

Sinus Infection

I went to see Dr. Bob Armstrong this morning.  I have a sinus infection and I am on antibiotics to counteract it.  Hopefully I will feel wonderful tomorrow.

I found a box of pictures today that were my Grandmother Sarah Tutttle's.  It was so fun to look through them because there were pictures of her as a baby and then old friends like Guy and Bernice Hill and other loved ones.  I can't wait to get them scanned in and shared with the family.

The house is now officially ours.  Should be quite an adventure coming our way.  We are getting settled in and Heidi and Andy are slowly packing out.  Eventually we will get everything sorted and be comfy here. 

Grateful of a day of rest

Clyde sees a pile of boxes and they HAVE to be unpacked.  Heidi hasn't even gotten her stuff packed yet and he has everything for the kitchen unpacked.  He is sick besides and does not make good judgment calls when he is (who does).  I am sick and just want to go to bed but Clyde won't let me.  Today is Sunday - so today we WILL rest and not worry about the mess he has all over.  The inside of the house - for the most part is clean and okay.  The mess is contained on the sun porch for the time being.

It is so fun to be with the grandchildren.  Luke Bahlmann is extremely shy and reserved but has warmed up to us quickly this time.  I count that as a wonderful blessing.  It really is good to be back.

Sinus Infection

Clyde and I both have sinus infections.  Not fun.  We have an appointment with the doctor on Monday.  I hope I can last but I feel awful.  I see so much that needs to be done and I just go back to bed.  Hopefully we can get on top of this quickly. 

It is incredible to be with family again.  We are enjoying that.  Tomorrow morning we report to the High Council and May 17 is our homecoming.  This is where we were supposed to be.

WE are here! WE are here! We are here!

We have arrived and already bought a car.  It is so wonderful to be close to family again.  Now to just get over the jetlag.  So much to do but we have plenty of time to do it.  We will put this house in order just like we digitized all of the work we did in Denmark  - one click at a time.

Farvel Danmark

...we have enjoyed our stay in your beautiful country.  We have learned to love your people and many of your customs.  It has been a wonderful year and a half. 

Tomorrow morning bright and early we will head to a new adventure.  Only the Lord knows what is in store. 

God Be with you 'til we meet again...

I cried so hard at church that I have a headache.  I intended to take pictures and got none.  It was a hard day.  I love our little Branch as I love my family.  Knowing that I will probably not see most of them until the next life was really quite heart breaking.  It was nice to ride the bus though and know THAT was our last 1 hour commute to church.

I am not sure I can blog tomorrow.  It depends on how early I get up.  We have to send our internet receiver back in the morning so we will have to see.  I cannot believe that our mission is finished.  I doubt I will be sleeping much the next few nights just because I am running through my head all that needs to be done before we go. 

Heidi said that we will be speaking in Sacrament Meeting on the 17th of May.  It is the Manti 3rd ward and 9 a.m.  We will have a get together after the church block at the house.  I will even make my famous 8 bean barbecue 'chili'.  Love to see one and all.

Our Last Saturday in Denmark

Today we have cleaned clothes and finished the kitchen and bathroom.  Now all we have to do is the floors and dust.  Monday we will have to do some chasing around to get the internet box returned and get checked of our commune.  Tomorrow is church and so we will say goodbye to our church family then.

Last night we had dinner and Richard Andersen's home.  We had a chicken pot pie with lots of salad and fresh vegetables.  I ate most of the veggies.  For dessert we had what they called lemon fluff - a little more oomph to it than just pudding or whipped cream but still light and airy.  There were also 2 kinds of cheesecake and trifle made with spice cake, apples and lots of whipped cream.  The company was wonderful.  Elder Andersen is the one that took us out our full day here and got our furniture and checked into the commune.  I will always be grateful for his kindness.

Coming home is becoming more real

We just sent a suitcase and box to the Manti.  I cried after they went out the door.  We are truly leaving.  It is unreal to me that we are going.  We have done a bit more packing and cleaning.  Just like our mission being one click at a time - our move is going the same way.  I look forward to wrapping my arms around my family again in just a few days.

Our Last day at work

Here is a picture of our keys to the gate and city of Copenhagen.  The passes next to the keys are original antique passes that were issued in the late 1700's and early 1800's.  Our names are on them and everything.  The pillow is from a past princess in the Danish Monarchy and was borrowed from the Copenhagen City Museum to present these treasures to us on.

Mayor Ebbesen with Clyde and me in the entrance of the huge hall in the Raadhus called the 'town hall'.  Mayor Ebbesen apologized to me when he first arrived and said he would not be able to stay much past his speech.  He stayed almost to the end of the reception.  No one had every known him to do that kind of thing before.

Today we said goodbye to our family for the last 18 months.  I felt like I was saying goodbye to my sisters, sons and daughter.  The card the IT techs gave us with our gift said, "Dear Mom and Dad..."  It was a hard day but I didn't have my heart wrenching cry until I got home.  This has been a wonderful mission - the perfect mission for Clyde and me.  I hope we have served in a way pleasing unto our Heavenly Father and loving Savior.

The gift our 'children' gave  us from the IT department is a pillow with our archive family picture on it.  The silly picture on one side and the more serious picture on the other.  Perfect gift.  Bo said that every time we lay on it we will get a hug from them.  A great day.

A Busy day

Today we cleaned the oven, cleaned almost all of the kitchen cabinets and drawers and packed a box and suitcase we are shipping to Manti.  We made arrangements for a pick up on Friday.  We are now sorting through clothes and decided what we are taking what is staying behind.  As the suitcases are filling, I am realizing more and more how frivolous my decisions can be.  I have to be brutal and not sentimental.

Tomorrow is our last day at the archive.  We are having an archive family lunch with the famous open face sandwiches of Denmark.  It is going to be a sad - hard day.

The 'Raadhus' Reception

We had our reception at the Raadhus today and it was way over the TOP!  First of all there were 125 people there and I did know most all of them at least by sight.  It was about 1/2 LDS and 1/2 archive workers.  Jeppe and Elisabeth put together an incredible program.  The mayor gave us a wonderful tribute then the archive gave Clyde and I each keys to the city and the city gate and a pass so we can come to Copenhagen at anytime (it is basically a free pass to come in the gate).  We were given all sorts of gifts.  Royal Copenhagen ornaments and a beautiful set of Danish Modern clock, thermometer and barometer that I will have to find a place of honor in our new home.  Elisabeth was a bit concerned because the thermometer is in Celsius but I would not change a thing.  I could tell when I saw them that she had picked them out.  The other volunteers a the archive gave us some magnets of the city and the Stake President and Torbin (the person that sets up new work for Family Search) gave us gourmet chocolates.  Our sweet Vannessa gave us flowers and our Branch president gave us a picture book of Copenhagen that I will enjoy looking at with the grandchildren.

The food was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with Oreos and root beer.  They bought 24 cans of root beer and I don't think an American got one.  No one we knew had ever heard of root beer and they were intrigued.  Lars said it tasted like his grandmother smelled - whatever that means.  It was a wonderful, very overwhelming day.

Hang on - it's going to be a bumpy ride!

I slept very little last night and so I told Clyde I would come into work late.  He decided to sleep in too.  We were going to be working later anyway because we were having dinner with 2 couples from church.  It was a fun dinner and I am feeling calmer now.  We will go into work a bit later tomorrow too.  No sense in running completely out of work before we have too.  Tomorrow is our reception.  I keep myself awake by all of the 'to do's' I have and I am so afraid it isn't going to get accomplished.

Whiy is the sky so blue today...only because it's spring

It is absolutely gorgeous outside.  We have been in the low sixties today and it has been glorious.

We had opportunities to start saying goodbye.  It is hard to leave here because we do not know when or if we will ever be back or see these wonderful people again.  I cannot believe that next Sunday is our last Sunday here.  I am so glad we won't have to do that commute ever again.  I am awfully tired of waiting for buses.

Procrastination

I came home yesterday and felt awful.  I made Clyde find something for his dinner.  I thought I was feeling better this morning but after we had finished shopping I was exhausted.  I have slept most of the day and just came back from a short walk around the block.  The sun is pretty intense and I did not want to get a sunburn on top of everything else.

There is so much to do and I keep putting it off.  My emotions are all jumbled up.  I can't decide if I should be excited about going home or devastated at leaving such dear friends here.  I have to get things in order and just do not want to do it.  It is going to get to be next Saturday and will be up until midnight getting things done!

On the go all day

This morning at 8, Chris Norton met with us, Jeppe and Elisabeth about the future assignments for the Ottley's.  It was a very busy but productive morning.

At 1p.m. a group of women came from the Denmark Stake Family History Centers and learned what the State Archives had to offer.

At 4p.m. we went to Jeppe and Sabrina's home for dinner and had a wonderful evening again with them.  Ronja was not feeling good and by the time we left she was running a fever and had put herself to bed.  Pray the we do not get sick until long after we get home!  We still have scripture study to do - so good night until tomorrow.

Another blustery day

I didn't blog yesterday because we spoke with the Ottley's (our replacement couple) on Skype for over 2 hours.  I had a migraine anyway so I just went to bed.

We had a good day today.  Tomorrow is going to be super busy.  Chris Norton - our supervisor with family Search - is coming in to see us to say goodbye tomorrow.  In the afternoon a group of Sisters from the Family History Center in the Copenhagen Stake are coming to see us and then tomorrow evening we are going to go and have dinner with Jeppe and his family again.  I sure hope I am not as tired tomorrow as I have been today.

We now have our time and date with the Mission President for our exit interview.  Time is flying.

A 'Blowsy' Day

My grandson, Dane Davis, makes words up.  If it is a blustery day - it is a blowsy day.  Today was very blowsy.  I thought about him a lot.

We got 1800 images done today.  It was a good day.  Now to clean up the apartment for our Skype visit with the Ottley's tomorrow evening.

On a Wonderful Day like today...

That song has been going through my mind every morning for the last week.  I love warm weather and Spring!  I can even handle rain and wind when it is warmer.

At church today, a sister asked if we received permission from the Branch to go home.  I hugged her and told her a part of my heart will always be with the Branch.  I am glad the I regenerate so well - otherwise there would be nothing of me left because I keep leaving bits and pieces of my heart and mind every time we move.  No wonder I can't remember anything anymore!

It was a beautiful day at Church and in our classes.  It has just simply been a beautiful and spiritual Sabbath day.

Danish Museum of Design

Our camera is being awful and has decided the memory card is corrupt - after we took a bunch of pictures at the museum today. 

The museum was incredible.  I had never realized how much Danish design affected my life nor how much I love it.  We spent almost 2 1/2 hours wandering around in there.  My knees are really sore because a front is coming in but other than that it was wonderful.  It has been a wonderful day.  We are amazed at how crowded the streets were.  Everyone is out enjoying the sun.

I cannot believe that we will spend 2 more Saturdays and then head home.  Time is flyin

Another Friday Party

Today we said goodbye to Kristian - the former head of the archive.  It was just our group and was really nice.  Kristian is the one that brought Family Search to Denmark.  We are glad he did,

I made banana bread for the archive for the Wednesday morning meeting.  Yesterday Lars had 6 pieces with Nutella and whipped cream on them.  He told me he had a sugar high all day yesterday.  He likes banana bread but they way he fixed it was over the top.

Elisabeth said that no more people can come to our reception.  The capacity is 135 and we have that many coming now.  Everyone else will be turned away.  Interesting how things work.  I think they are coming to see the Raadhus and not us though.

Tomorrow we are going to the Design Museum of Denmark.  I am excited about it.

More Pictures from Easter Monday

After we spent the morning and early afternoon at Little Mermaid and down on the harbor, we went to Tivoli.  This is a picture of a Military Academy that dresses like  the Queen's Guard here. They were really very good.  We have a video but it won't let me upload it. 

Fields of Tulips.  This reminds me of Holland this time of year.

Jeppe has decided no coffee or alcohol for our reception in honor of our beliefs.  He came in later and said that he was astonished at how much farther your money goes when you eliminated alcohol and coffee.  Jeppe has invited us to Dinner next week.  We will firm up plans tomorrow.

For about 2 hours, Lars was the only one in the office.  Jeppe came in and they both said the were thrilled with all of the work they got done.  Tomorrow is a Pizza Party to say goodbye to Krisitan - our former archive director.

A Most Fascinating Day

Today was not the most productive day we have ever had because of the interruptions.  We visited with the two new young men - Jens and Anders, as they came in.  Jeppe had some concerns and suggestions and then Elisabeth sat down to visit several times.  We may not have captured 2000 images but we did make memories.

Anders is a historian.  He was born right on the Danish/German border and speaks German better than his English (which is excellent).  He came in very excited because there is comprehensive Danish History that fills a book shelf - that has now been digitized.  In it are several pages about the Mormon Missionaries coming and 'recruiting' thousands of Danes.  I told him over 24000 went to Utah.  The write up was very flattering.  He asked me about Joseph Smith and I was able to bear my testimony about the First Vision.  It was quite amazing.  He later came in and said that he was told by the other IT guys that we did not mind interruptions.  I told him we did not.  I am looking forward to what other tidbits he comes up with to share.  He lives by the Copenhagen Temple and said he has never met an LDS member he has not liked.  I am quite impressed with this young man and look forward to spending the next 2 weeks with him.

Brookes just called and wanted to know if we would go to an outdoor museum with them on Saturday.  Looking forward to that.

A Day at the Archive

These are a bit out of order - this should be picture #2.  On the clear glass panels beside each office in our end of the building are images etched into the glass.  This is the 'bull' from the cave drawings in France.  It is Jeppe and Bo's office (and now Anders.  His computer is the one closest to the front.

This is the Conference Room.  The bones signify prehistoric man.  Anni did all of these.  This should be #1.

This represents the Gutenberg Press.  This is Mads and Lars office.

This is the lunch room and represents the 'computer age'.  I took the pictures before anyone got in so I would not be capturing images that I shouldn't show.  We have 12 work days left.  Wow!

Easter Monday

We had so much fun today.  We went with Jim and Norma Brookes and saw the Little Mermaid again and then Kristina - a statue dedicated to an LDS members great+ grandmother.  This is Mercury or Hermes.  - you can tell by all of the wings.

Neptune or Poseidon - fitting since the Little Mermaid is in the next cove.

Kristina - there is a little sculpture of this statue in one of the chapels in our stake.  This is the same artist that did the Handcart sculpture we took a picture of last summer.  It is dedicated to all of the LDS immigrants that went to be with the other members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah.  Over 20,000 Danes left Denmark for the 'Zion.'

We had so much fun with Jim and Norma and I will post more about the trip tomorrow.  We  have a partial week this week and then a full week next week and another partial - then we are finished.  So hard to believe that the time is so short that we have to be here.

Happy Easter 2015

We have had a wonderful Sabbath.  We have watched the Saturday Afternoon Session and the Priesthood Session.  It has been very uplifting.  We will watch our final session of the day - the Sunday Morning session -live.  I look forward to watching October Conference live.  It is hard to have to string the sessions out like this but I am so grateful that we have to opportunity to listen. 

My favorite talk so far is Wilfred W. Andersen's talk about music and dancing.  It made me so grateful for the Gospel 'music' I hear in my soul of the truthfulness of the Gospel.  It did make me sad that there were dissenters during the sustainings.  I have 'dissented' before but I have done it in private and spoke of my concerns with the Stake President before ward conference and at my temple recommend interview.  I told him that I would not raise my hand in support or opposition because I had spoken to him about it.  That is the only time I have ever felt that I just could not support someone.

As I listened to some of the talks, I thought about my Grandpa Brugger.  A year before he passed away, Clyde and I went to visit him.  Grandpa was completely blind at this point but he had a Book of Mormon on his lap and his finger on a verse.  I said, "Grandpa, what are you reading?"  He said, "I am reading King Benjamin's Address."  I looked down and he was and this book was not in braille.  I asked my cousin's David and Mark if they set it up so he looked like he was reading.  They said, "No.  Grandpa does know his Book of Mormon that well."  You could feel that Holy Spirit in that room that day.  It was like being in the temple.  I knew that Grandpa's time was short after that visit.  I will always remember his example of a sincere love of the Gospel.  My Grandma Sarah was the same way.  Even with her mind shutting down in her last years, she loved the scriptures and the Gospel.  She frequently would tell us that the Gospel was her most treasured gift.

General Conference

Today and tomorrow will be easy going days.  It is General Conference tonight (we will watch the first session at 6 p.m. tonight) and then tomorrow we will watch 3 sessions with the last session on Monday.  I love Conference.  This is when I make my goals and renew my decisions.  It is going to be great.

Good Friday 2015

I am laughing because 'Acuweather' that we look at to see the weather here, says that it is snowing.  Now you know why we call it In-acuweather.  It is 47 degrees and the sun is shining.  I don't know anywhere in Denmark that it is snowing!

We went to the temple this morning with Jim and Norma Brookes - our fellow Family Search missionaries here in this Zone.  We always enjoy getting together.  On Monday we will go and see the Little Mermaid again and a statue called 'Christina' that is a tribute by an LDS artist that cast her.  His great-great-grandmother was Christina and as a young girl she went to Utah.

It has been a good day.  Clyde is literally being a couch potato and sleeping in the sun on our little love seat.  He can curl up in the smallest spaces.  I used to be able to but not anymore.  I figure that in the next year or so I will the 'Bionic Woman'. 

Maundy Thursday

Today is a holiday in Denmark.  It is the beginning of the Easter Weekend.  It is 'Holy Thursday' and commemorates the Last Supper.  No one really knows why they celebrate Easter in Denmark.  No one goes to church but the LDS.

We started going through drawers and packing things away.  The time is drawing to a close quickly.

An Easy Going day

We were off from work today and it was glorious.  No headache or congestion.  Hadn't realized the toll the books are taking on me.

We went shopping for groceries - since tomorrow everyone goes on Easter hours.  Pretty much all retail centers will be closed Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday.  Saturday the stores will be open but at shortened hours. 

It was a good day.  We are not trying to decide what to mail home, throw out or carry home.  It is interesting to say the least.

Today we start our Easter Break

Today we were informed that we start our Easter break tomorrow.  There will be no one at the archive - so the alarm will be set.  We will get our shopping done for the week tomorrow because Thursday and Friday all of the stores will be closed.  On Saturday, stores will be open for a limited time and then closed again until Tuesday the 7th.  Easter is a bigger deal here than Christmas.

Anders started work today as the archive historian.  He is also going work on the presentation the archive is doing for us.  We had no idea it would end up being this big a deal.  We were told by and one of our stake reps that Elder Olsen - our area authority from Sweden has also been invited.  To me, he is a bigger deal than the American Ambassador.  Interesting how our perspective changes things.

Stefan is gone.  I hugged him and told him I was proud of him.  He told me that he would be at our reception.  I am so proud of him.

On the way to the archive and then some

On our way from bus 10 to bus 250, we pass this statue.  It is a statue honoring those that fought in the Civil War here in Denmark.  It was the war that decided the make up of Denmark to this day.  What is the northern part of Germany was once Danish but they had an uprising and rebelled.  Interesting that their war here was fought the same time as the US Civil War.  However instead of being united as we eventually were, they were forever divided. 

This statue is supposed to depict brothers supporting brothers.  It is an interesting statue.  Their uniforms look like the ones from the Civil War in the US.

This get-up only lasted one day.  I still wear the apron occasionally but the gloves I wear every day.  I got such a headache behind the mask I had to go home early.  Turns out you are supposed to only stay behind the mask 20 minutes and then take the mask off for 10-15 minutes.  That is just too much wasted time.  I am doing better now BUT the books are not as bad as those were.

It was quiet in the archive today.  It was just Daniel and Stefan.  Tomorrow is Stefan's last day.  I hope he has a good life.

'Summertime' Sunday

We sprung forward for 'Summertime' here in Denmark.  When the sun comes up at 3 in the morning w/o the change - at least we get one more hour of darkness before the dawn.

Church was good.  They painted the downstairs yesterday and the fumes were so bad, they were making me sick - so I came home a bit early.

On the bus was a mother and her 2 sons.  She rides quite frequently with us and the boys names are Alexander and Olaf.  Alexander is about 3 and Olaf is less than a year.  Alexander always jumps on the bus and runs to the back of the bus.  He then announces to his mother that he is there and safe.  She has to stay up front with the buggy and Olaf.  We have ridden with them off and on for most of the time we have been here.  Olaf must have been sick or teething because for the first time ever he cried.  He was hysterical by the time we got off at Mozarts Plads.  While we waited for bus 10, the mother walked the buggy up and down the path, while Alexander collected beer bottle caps.  Olaf finally fell asleep as the bus came.  She thanked me as she got off the bus for not telling her how to raise her boys.  I heard some other older people complaining about the noise.  Sometimes children HAVE to cry.

We are off to the Sederholm's for dinner to say 'farvel' to the Middlemas'.  I will miss them

Happy Birthday Heather

Today is our Heather Lou's birthday.  It was kind of a scary day when she was born.  I found out my father and doctor were both concerned about my health as well as hers.  Fortunately - even though she was 6 weeks early, all was well in. 

We hope your have a wonderful birthday and look forward to seeing you soon.

A very successfull day!

Today was a BIG day.  I made chili for everyone in the archive.  Then we had Stefan's goodbye party.  There were 2 kinds of cakes, blueberry and gooseberry/mandarin orange cake.  They made a vanilla cream and folded a lot of whipped cream into it and then added the fruit jam and served it with a white cake and topped with a picture made from marshmallow and surrounded with more whipped cream.  By the way - my pot of chili fed all 20 people at community lunch with seconds and thirds for many.  Above is me at the top and next to me is Anni and then Mona.  They have been very good friends to us during our stay here.  Anni is my age and the person that does all of the restoration on the books for us.

Stefan is holding the sword and Bo is talking.  They were trying to pop the cork off of champagne bottles with the sword.

Mikkel and Stefan changed places and Mikkel tried to knock the cork off.  All that happened was the champagne got so shaken up - it created a big fountain when they did get it off (by hand).  Clyde and I had sparkling water along with one other young lady.  Jeppe didn't even ask her if what is what she wanted - he just presented a glass to her.  Kristian was there (our old archive boss) and accepted a glass of champagne and then changed his mind to 'Dansk Vand' (sparkling water).

My dear friend Elisabeth.  She has truly been like a sister while we have been here.  I will really miss her.  In the front corner is Ulla - one of the volunteers that works in the archive.

Clyde calls this 3 women in profile.  I am going to miss these people.

Mads being Mads.  He the guy in the blue shirt with his thumbs up.  Clyde and Helge are in the background to the left and Cardston is sitting next to Mads with his ever present camera.

Stefan listening to a tribute to him.  He really has been a sweetheart to work with.  Lars is in the white and blue striped jacket and Pernille is next to him.  Mads fixed Pernille's hair so that it looked like Princess Leia's from Star Wars (the theme of the party).

Mads on the far left as Stefan thanks Kristian for a tie for work.  Stefan has to wear collared shirts and a tie at his new office.  He can wear jeans as long as the pressed and creased.  Ulla is in the front left and our dear Jeppe is in the back on the far right.

On the way home our bus was taking forever to get down our street.  There had a been an accident with 1 car catching on fire.  There were 2 fire engines, 3 ambulance and a multitude of police officers.  We got off a stop early and were glad we did.  Heaven only knows how long it would have taken to get home if we hadn't.  Even then we were 20 minutes later than usual.  It has been a good day and I am tired.

The archive is thinking of inviting...

...the US ambassador to Denmark to our reception next month.  I think that is a bit over the top but whatever.  Clyde and I are just scratching our heads about this.  We really just wanted a few people to say a proper goodbye.

We got 7 books done today.  It was a really good day over all.  I bought the stuff for chili tomorrow.  Should be a fun time for all.

Danish "Family" Pictures

Today Mads and Jeppe came up with the great idea of taking a picture of everyone in the IT family for a 'family' picture.  Stefan leaves on Tuesday and we leave in less than a month.  Mads, Jeppe and Frederick scouted out for a location and at 11:30 we all headed out and had 20 minutes of laughing and having fun.  I sat down on the bench with Pernille and then Lars sat beside Pernille and Frederick sat by me and put his arm around me.  He refused to move for Clyde.  We giggled and laughed and had an amazing time.  Here - you say applesin (apple-seen) for pictures.  I told them we said cheese but in our family we say 'Texas'.  It was so much fun.  I really am going to miss these guys when we leave BUT I have promises from several of them that they will come and visit us.  That will be a fun treat to share with our personal family.

Jeppe's grandmother passed away yesterday at noon.  He is very sad but realizes it is a blessing she does not have to suffer anymore.  He told me he as finding great peace in the April Liahona. 

We did the last of the horribly moldy books.  The next series looks good.  We did 4 large books today with almost 6 hours of work. 

I have quit talking an antihistamine and I no longer want to punch everyone out.  Nice to know it was an easy fix.

We stayed home again.

I fought a fever all night and was not up to going in.  Clyde has felt awful for several days and it didn't take much to convince him to turn over and get some more sleep.  We both got up about 8:30 and have slept off and on all day.  I am feeling a bit better.  We have to go to work tomorrow because it is 'picture day'.  We are getting our picture taken with everyone in the archive.  Friday I am fixing chili for everyone.

We all live in a yellow submarine...

Today Mads was either whistling or humming "Yellow Submarine".  It made me laugh and really miss our girls. 

Jeppe's grandmother is fading away.  She was smoking in bed when the curtains caught fire.  They have done a skin graft but she will not be around to heal completely.  She has quit eating but will occasionally take a sip of protein drink.  He was very down.  I told him that I knew he would see his bedstemor again (father's mother).  He teared up and said he wished he had that faith but right now he feels hopeless.  I so wanted to hold him but he was trying to be brave.

Clyde and I felt awful all day.  This evening, Clyde is a little bit perkier and I just feel like punching someone in the face.  I think the Zyrtec I am taking is making me literally 'punchy'. 

We did 3 books and seem to finally be moving beyond the worst of the books.  For the most part it was a good day.  Jeppe came in to say that in one month it will be our last day at the archive.  WOW!

It WAS a beautiful Sunday

This morning it was beautiful with abundant sunshine and tolerable temps PLUS no wind.  I always take that as a plus.  Now the wind is blowing the clouds in and it looks miserable.

Clyde sang in a men's double quartet today and it was beautiful.  "Brightly Beams..." is one of my favorite hymns anyway and when it is done well, it is so inspiring.

During one of the talks - as they were speaking about Easter they spoke about the prayer in Gethsemane.  He didn't give a verse so Anna was translating directly what he said.  He quoted the prayer and Anne said, "Why have you abandoned me" instead of forsaken me.  For some reason - at least to me - abandoned is a much more desolate word than forsaken.  It really jarred me.

For some reason I am not doing very well right now.  I am quite angry and ornery and I don't know why.  I hate it when that happens!

Stormy Saturday

It has rained, there has been sleet and even snow today.  By sunset, the clouds were starting to break up and the sun was peeking through.  It was beautiful.

I was running a fever last night and have taken it easy all day.  I want to go to Church if only for Sacrament Meeting because the men's double quartet is singing, "Brightly Beams" and in practice it is incredible.

Have a good Sabbath.

A solar eclipse on the first day of Spring...

...is a very rare phenomenon. We had a 3/4 view (if the clouds had let us see it) but it looked like a dreary winter day.  We are all glad that winter is truly behind us.  The Faeroe Islands are part of Denmark just to the west (about 75 miles to the west of Denmark).  It was 100% there.  We did watch it via computer in real time.  It was interesting. 

Jeppe had to leave work early because his bedstemor (father's mother) is in critical condition in the hospital.  She caught her curtains on fire and has 2nd and 3rd degree burns on her face and neck.  She is 89 and has quit eating.  I am thinking her time is coming quickly.  We are praying for the family to have peace with whatever is to happen.

I was listening to the guys in the kitchen this morning and they were talking about working out.  Someone said, "We will workout like horses." (in English).  Then they all started saying it.  I just smiled and moved on.

More moldy books on the horizon.  I will have to keep taking Zyrtec and I am not happy about that.  Oh well, the more we do the less the Ottley's will have to deal with.

It is fixed!

We fixed the washing machine.  A Danish brother suggested we cut back on the water pressure because the water might be going in too fast and the washer is thinking none is coming in.  It worked.  Apparently this is a quite common problem with Danish washers.

Mads came in so happy because his daughter aced her exit exam for Gymnasium.  Later he got so made that he was swearing and throwing things (work related).  Apparently when Mads blows he really blows.  I have only heard him get mad 2 or 3 times the whole time we have been here.  Just before we arrived in Denmark, he apparently was so mad he threw his computer and broke it.

Time is flying.  We did 4 BIG books today and things went well.  I am feeling pretty good.  Just a few more days of these moldy books (I hope!).

Our Last Zone Conference

We had zone conference today and it was wonderful.  It has been a spiritual and full day.  On the way home we stopped by the toy store to by tiny animals to bring home - that store did not have any.

For some reason my knees are extremely painful and have been for the last two days.  Hope it quits soon.

Yesterday I had several compliments on my hair.  I had done nothing but not comb it after I had been in a wind storm. I didn't know that doing my hair could be so carefree.

The crocus are here!

The crocus are in full bloom and the daffodils are not far behind.  I love Spring!

We were a bit late getting to work today because one of our buses didn't ever show up.  We finally got to work at 8:20 which meant we didn't get to start work until 8:40.  Other than that there were no problems - just these awful books. 

We have Zone Conference tomorrow.  In the afternoon they are showing - Meet the Mormons.  We will see if we stay for that or not. 

I forgot it was St. Patrick's Day but wore green anyway.  Here no one knows what it is or anything about it.

Spring is coming!

It is 6 p.m. and I can write this without the aid of a light!  The sun is just setting and it is glorious.  I can handle anything when the sun is shining.

Today we got to work and downloaded our external hard drive.  It downloaded a new version of d-cam that we HAD to install in order to go on.  We don't have access to the internet and couldn't get the one little piece of the puzzle to move on.  Bo came in about 9 a.m. and was concerned because we were not digitizing. Clyde explained the issue and Bo immediately went in and downloaded what we need and installed it for us.  Daniel and Jeppe were there to help.  As soon as Frederick came in - he checked over what had been done.  Have I said lately how much I love these guys!

Clyde and I have had migraines every day we have worked on these moldy books.  We did open a window today and that seemed to help a bit but I am still light headed from this.  Can't wait to move from these books.