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.

Sweet Sabbath

Today Clyde and I spoke in Sacrament Meeting.  We used interpreters.  It went very well.  This talk everyone complimented us on our thoughts and testimony.  Cannot ask for more than that.

It was a good day.  We even got a load of wash done - only having to hit the 'on' button 10 times in an hour.  Not a very relaxing washer but then it was only for an hour.   Hopefully this week it will be fixed.

Another Saturday night

Today was a  typical Saturday - shopping and getting things ready except that tomorrow Clyde and I will be giving talks and we have been trying very hard to get them ready to go.  Not feeling overly prepared.  I am also so tired today that I can hardly function.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

Our washing machine has decided to quit.  Now we start the hurry up and wait process to get it fixed.

Friday the 13th again!

The problem with February having 28 days is that it then causes March to follow suit.  Two Friday the 13's in 2 months is overkill.

I have felt crummy all day and stayed home.  Clyde went to the temple, did some shopping and paid the internet bill.  He did buy me a beautiful piece of Danish art - a wooden bird.  It is very Danish Modern and I love it.

Had a fun visit with Pam this evening.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.  I have a talk to get polished for Sunday.

Happy Birthday my Bella

Today Lars came and showed me a screw and then said, "In Danish to have a loose screw or lose a screw means you are crazy."  I told him it was the same in the US.  He said that the surgery to take out the screw was painful but he will recover.  Then later he showed me that he broken his screw so it couldn't be replaced.  He said, "I will never be the same again."

We started on the moldy books and I ended up coming home early.  My head is still pounding.  This is going to be rough.  They have been stored in an old meat packing warehouse.  Apparently a couple of months ago the roof sprung 'another' leak.  Needless to say, these books did not need any more water on them.

Happy Birthday, Bella.  I hope you have a wonderful day.  Congratulations on being old enough for Young Women's now.  We are so proud of you.

For some reason I have been thinking a lot about my dad today.

I was thinking about Dad a lot today.  I think it started when Elisabeth Bloch came in and laughed.  She has a very distinctive laugh - like my dad did.  When we lived in Frankfurt the first time, my dad would say he was going to the movie, when he was on-call.  If he was needed - they would stand in the back of the theater for a funny part and then zero in on Dad. When Clyde and I moved to El Paso, Texas in 1975 - we were invited to go and see "The Sting" with the Gladys and Vince Olsen at the theater on Fort Bliss.  Clyde and I heard Dad's laugh and said to each other - 'only Dad has that laugh'.  Turned out he was at Fort Bliss to check out the clinic there and decided to go to the movie.  We saw him afterwards.

I think of Dad in the oddest places but mostly I think - I can't wait to share that with Dad and then think - he already knows.

Tomorrow we will wear our masks and I will wear the gloves.  The books are covered in mold and smell for bad.  Anni said she would fix them before we worked on them but we don't have the time for that.  We will take them to her after we finish each book.  We did get 5 very huge books done today and that felt good.

We are giving talks on Sunday, so I was glancing through my journal that I have kept while I was here.  It is a hard topic - what testimonies have I gained and experiences have I had that have helped me grow closer to the Lord.  I could talk forever on that subject.

It is just Tuesdaay!

For some reason this week is crawling.  I think it is because I have had a migraine 2 days in row.  I came home early today - not much just an hour but that nap did wonders.

Mads came in and said, "I have lost my son."  I said where is he - he said, 'the 'sun' had not come out today.  Hopefully it will be found.'  I ran into his office when if finally broke through and said, 'Your sun is shining.'  He busted up laughing.  Even when I feel crummy - work can be fun.

48 days until we come home

We went and got our last pass for the bus today.  We just went ahead and extended it the 2 weeks until our departure date.  Amazing because the time really has flown.

Vanessa Venn came in to work today and were we tickled to see her.  She was an intern when we started and we have remained close.  She was there to attend an archivist user's conference.  I met Anne from Thisted (where all of my mother's Nielsen relatives came from).  She is going to contact Family Search and see if missionaries can come there to digitize.  She said that they have a lot of documents written by Mormons in the archive.  I explained that Danish was the first language that the Book of Mormon was translated in and almost all long time members of the Church have some Danish blood in them.  Both she and Vanessa were impressed and excited about that.

We got 8 books done today.  It was good day but tomorrow we got into that gargantuan books again.  Not looking forward to that.

Welcome Welcome, Sabbath Morning...

It is a bright sunny day.  The sun came up at 6:45 a.m. and is still up and bright at 4:45 p.m.  It is wonderful.  I can do anything in warmth and sun.

Church was wonderful.  One of the speakers kept saying 'patience' instead of talmodiheg.  Anne - who interprets for us - kept changing to Danish when she heard English and vice versa.  The full time missionaries were sitting back by her and teasing her.  I think they should have teased Ben for mixing his English and Danish.  He is a full blooded Dane too.  President and Sister Williams (the temple president and matron) were the other speakers and it was very spiritual and wonderful.

Our Sunday School class is more of a discussion group because ordinarily it is just the Thorne's and us.  Today we had Andrew Loftus and President and Sister Williams attending.  It really was a wonderful discussion on how the Savior can be yoked with us.  Oh what joy to have our burdens made light by the Savior's love and atonement.

After church, a men's double quartet were practicing "Brightly Beams" for Sacrament on the 22.  It is not in the Danish Hymnal, so they are singing it in English.  It is so beautiful.  They are planning on singing it - without Clyde - at Stake Conference in May. 

We were home by 1:45.  We never get home until well after 2 but things just fell into place.  I was starting to feel a bit poorly, so I was glad we got home quickly.  I had a nap and feel some better.  Hopefully this will all be over tomorrow.  I am thinking this has something to do with my allergies because I ALWAYS get sick in March.

5:53 and it is still light!

I am loving this later and later light.  We don't change to 'summer time' until the end of the month.  It is still  so wonderful to feel the suns warmth for a few extra minutes every day.  I am glad I don't have to do 20 hour darkness again.

We had a lovely dinner at the Sederholm's last night.  I am not sure if I ate something or have a bug - but my stomach has been killing me since we got home last night.  I have to eat and that is just frustrating because once I do - I am walking the floor or curled up in the fetal position.  Not fun.  Hopefully by tomorrow I will be well and ready for church.

Success!

The Great Reuben Sandwich Lunch was a success.  Everyone enjoyed the sandwiches.  I have to say that it is the best corned beef I have ever tasted and the best Thousand Island Dressing.  They dipped their sandwiches in additional dressing as they ate them.  I have never had a Reuben Sandwich before but have to say it was good.  Frederick brought some real German Sauerkraut.  I had forgotten how delicious the real stuff is.

We are off to President Sederholm's to say goodbye to the Andersen's and hello to the new mission couple.  Elder Andersen has been very good to us.  I will miss him.

Another Thursday at the archive

Today d-cam decided to be obstinate and not start properly.  That took 15 minutes off of our camera time.  We still did quite well.  We have some moldy and musty books coming up.  I talked to Elisabeth about a mask and some way to keep my hands from touching the books.  She came in with a masks for Clyde and me with filters on them and some gloves that look a little bit like golf gloves but with full fingers.  They feel good.  Anyway, I will be using these things starting tomorrow and hopefully I won't be home sick with allergies. 

Mads is making me crazy with his excitement over his Reuben Sandwiches tomorrow.  He made homemade Thousand Island dressing today and it is GOOD!  Frederick went to Germany yesterday to get the sauerkraut and they bought the chips and other things for the lunch tomorrow.  I just hope it all lives up to the expectations of Mads.

Someone put a sign on the some candy in the kitchen today that said, 'Nicht, Verboten!'  I told them that who ever wrote that did a double negative - which makes a positive so they were NOT forbidden.  I went in a little later and it said, 'Nicht!  Verboten!'  Lars said he thought it was Pernille because she is a Germanphobe.  I thought he said 'germaphobe' and said it might be better if he said 'Tyskaphobe' (toosk a fobe).  He agreed.  It sounds like we get no work done at work and we just play but we did 2 huge books today and 1/2 of the biggest book of all so far.  I came home and showered and washed my clothes because they were covered in dust.  I will be taking a Benadril tonight.

I am tired

We put in a full day today - because that is how my husband is.  I am fried tonight.  It will be an early to bed evening for sure.

Mads is beyond excited about his Reuben Sandwiches.  We are going to make them Friday for lunch, using 2 fry pans on the hot plate and 3 sandwich presses.  Should be interesting.  The corned beef has now been cooked and it smells amazing.

On March 25, we are going to have group shot of everyone in our office group.  I am so excited.  I told Elisabeth that all I wanted was a 'family shot' of my loved ones in Denmark.  So glad we are taking it before Stefan leaves.

Daniel had one meeting after another today.  He started to go home about the time we left.  I asked him how he was doing and he said that he had been in meetings so long that his head was heavy (you know so filled it was going to explode!).  I love these guys.  I love that they talk to me and tell my how they really feel or tease me like family members do.  They are very special to me.

A Wild Weather day

Today we have had rain, snow, sleet, hail and sunshine.  It was very foggy when I first got up this morning.  I think we have seen all the weather patterns today.  It has been interesting to say the least.  Glad that I convinced Clyde to stay home at least one more day.  I had to scold him and tell him that going in sick does no one any favors.  In fact it is quite selfish.  I hate that people go to work sick.  I get sick so easily I think it is a disservice to someone when they show up sick.  I always get it.  That is why I am so careful to stay home.  I might stay home for allergies -but if I don't feel well - I don't go to work.  Besides when you are sick you are never at your best.

The Brooke's called us during dinner.  D-cam would not shut down.  It looks like this sort of thing happens after a few months on the camera.  Hope they don't have the major problems we have had.

Sick day

Clyde was so congested last night that he was up most of the night trying to breathe.  I sure hope this is not shades of last  year!  He was sick from my birthday until into April.  I think he decided to stay down today it has helped considerably. 

Raindrops falling all around...

It has been raining pretty much all day.  As we were getting our coats on to go to Church this morning - Clyde suggested I bring an extra pair of socks.  I am so glad I did.  My shoes were soaking and had soaked my stockings too.  I put on a pair of knee highs that didn't exactly match my outfit but were thick and warm.  I just went around in stocking feet for church.  When we got ready to leave, my gloves, stockings and shoes were still wet.

Today we had a baby blessing.  One of the things I noticed was the father kept the baby snuggled up against him.  Everyone else in the circle put their hands on the baby.  Elliott was content all the way through his blessing.  I glanced up once and started to cry.  The way Sebastian was holding Elliott - it looked like he was speaking right to him.  It was beautiful.  We ordinarily have 4 children in Primary.  Today we 18.  It was quite extraordinary. 

It has been a pleasant day.  In Relief Society Anna taught us from President Uchtdorf's Relief Society message from 2011 - 'The Forget-me-not' talk.  What I came away with is that we need to be happy in doing the things of God.  We all have emotions and we should use them.  We will never be 'giddy' happy all of the time.  But the happiness that contentment brings can be ours if we just desire it and work for it.