Oh, Yeah: A "White" St. Patricks Day!

March 9-15

SUNDAY    Daylight saving time robbed me of a little sleep before Church.  We even had to go a little early as they had ask Rhonda to play prelude and the opening song just in case the regular lady didn’t make it with the time change.  There was a young Marine from NH to Church with his Korean girlfriend (non-member) and they came to the memorial for our only guests.

Family Home Evening Group 3-9-2014

MONDAY  -  We spent some time practicing over several  music pieces  to play for FHE tonight.  Rhonda on the accordion and me on the melodica. We also tried to do a little practicing while we were on shift but we were interrupted several times with visitors which was OK with us.  Rhonda was the basic program for FHE.  She played several songs on the accordion and did a great job.  I tried to accompany her for a couple songs on the melodica and made several mistakes along the way but I think they got the jest of what it was supposed to sound like. I spent the rest of the evening just doing some odds and ends until the BYU game came on TV at 11:30pm.  I was only going to watch a few minutes but it ended up being a close game and so I had to stay to the end (which was 1:29am).  BYU ended up winning by 2 points in overtime so I guess it was worth it.



TUESDAY -  Beside our weekly training meeting with all JSBM Missionaries, we had visitors come to the Memorial. As usual, they seemed to all come at the same time.  We were even late getting home but no problem as we cancelled institute due to spring break at the university along with Relief Society parties, etc.   After we had something to eat, I went for a walk but had to come home after dark and the puddles on the sidewalk were getting iced over so was glad to get back in one piece.  Watched BYU in the WCCD championship game but I think they were out of gas from the OT win the night before so they lost.  I at least went to bed on my schedule for a change.

WEDNESDAY     We were scheduled to do the all day shift today.  Well, it was snowing in the morning when we got up and snowed all day.  Shortly after 1:00pm the Osborn’s sent us home as there was nothing going on but snow.  The FM supervisors sent the other missionaries home saying that Vermont was going to start closing highways due to the extreme storm.  We met three snowplows on the way back to the apartment.  The roads were very slick and it snowed all the rest of the day. 

 

 

 

 

THURSDAY   We learned this morning that this is the 12^th largest snow storm since they started keeping records.  It took me 45 minutes to get the car cleaned enough to get to work at the Memorial.  Elder Osborn said he measured 16 inches of new snow and the wind probably blew additional away.  We had the afternoon shift as we had earlier chosen to work today and take our day off on Friday this week.  We were anticipating Randy's family coming for a few days during Halen's Spring Break.  However, the storm closed the Burlington airport and caused all kinds of havic so they didn't make it.  It was cold and blowing snow all day long and of course, no visitors came to the Memorial.  
FRIDAY   We went shopping to W. Lebanon in the morning and then in the afternoon we joined with the Harman’s and Mooney’s for a trip to the Boston Temple.  They were staying overnight and so  Ryan was sweet and generous to give us some of his Marriott points so we could join them.    We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Waltham, MA--quite close to the Temple. 

After checking in we drove downtown Waltham and finally ended up eating at a Mexican place called Marquarita’s.  Same chain as we went to in NH with Osborn’s.  We then stopped at Costco where I renewed my membership for another year.  I think I can save enough on gas to pay my membership.  While we were at Costco, Elder Harman got a text back from President Stoker saying that it was good to go to the Temple but we were supposed to be back in the mission boundaries to spend the night but since we already had hotel reservations, he would let us go this time.   Maybe easier to get forgiveness than permission but we really didn’t understand the policy good enough to do different.  

SATURDAY   We enjoyed a nice session at the Temple.  We saw a “new” film that we hadn’t seen before.  This one seemed to be a little more personal and yet a little more gentle than the last new one we saw in Boston. 


 
After the Temple session we drove into downtown Boston.  Things are really crazy there and driving is pretty intense. Things are also quite expensive.  Weekend parking was a little better, we found a lot for $9.00.  We walked down to Boston Harbor and looked around and found a place for lunch/dinner called Legal Seafood.  Food also seemed expensive, $16.95 for fish and chips.  After eating, we walked around downtown for a little while then headed back up the interstate for home.  We made a stop in Manchester NH for the ladies to shop at Michael’s.  We arrived home about 8:15pm and were glad to be here.  We were both to bed earlier that we had been in quite a while.

Shots taken around Boston Harbor

March Madness: MORE SNOW!

March 1-8, 2014

SATURDAY    We had our usual morning shift but it was so cold no one came to visit at the Memorial. The afternoon was cold also so I spent most of the time with the TV.  The BYU women were playing on TV and men on the radio so I kept switching back and forth trying to keep tabs on both.  After the BYU games, I took another walk and thankfully have nothing to report except some sore muscles. It was still cold but I needed to get out.  I did a little study for institute before the BYU Volleyball match started on TV again.  

Original doorstep and other ruins from the birthplace home are under snow.

SUNDAY     Today was fast Sunday but it really didn’t seem to be too fast.  As we were about to start Sacrament, the Bishop looked around and saw no one to lead the music so over the pulpit he asked Rhonda if she would come lead.  She quickly volunteered me to do it.  I went up and tried but they were singing quite a fast paced song and the young Johnson girl who was playing the organ only had one speed, needless to say, I was off beat the first measure.  We made it through.  When it came time for Priesthood, the Bishop ask, “Elder Osgood, would you come lead the music?”  I told him I answered to a lot of things but that was something new.  After church I started watching golf on TV.  It turned to be a really interesting finish as all the top of the leader board had a turn of hitting the ball in the water.  Later Bro. Harman came over with some chips and dip and Rhonda had just made fresh banana bread so we exchanged “goodies” and had a good visit.   
MONDAY     After a slow morning, we ended up taking a rush trip to W. Lebanon to get some potatoes.  We discovered we needed them for tomorrow’s dinner.   The afternoon shift proved to be pretty quiet except for one non-member who just happened to show up to see the Monument but didn’t want a tour but I gave her a brief 15 minutes anyway as she ask a few questions.  We had about the usual turnout for Family Home Evening.       
TUESDAY  A lot of the morning was spent getting ready for the afternoon.  We met

Sis. Harmon made Dawn's Birthday Cake

Sis. & Elder Mooney and Dawn

at the Memorial at noon for a dinner with the FM office personnel and all the missionaries.  We had a nice but simple lunch but it was good to meet some of the FM directors whom we hadn’t met before.  After they left, the afternoon was pretty quiet.  No visitors, as the weather is very cold.  We were to pick up Kelsey Preston for institute but got lost on the way.  The GPS didn’t seem to kick in until it was re-routing.  We back-tracked and finally got on the right road and made it with no minutes to spart before the scheduled starting time and were still the first ones there.  We ended up with 4 students in attendance, our largest class so far.  We ended up traveling both too and from Norwich Univ. in light snow and were glad to get home about 10:30pm.
WEDNESDAY   Today is our full-day shift.  It is still lightly snowing and cold.   Sister Talbot came with her kids to watch a movie for our only visitors for the day.    

THURSDAY   I guess we make up for lack of action today by having our day off.  We spent the morning trimming my hair, cleaning the apartment, washing, re-washing the car, etc. trying to get ready for another week.  We eventually got tired of cleaning and went shopping in NH in the late afternoon.    At Wendy’s the girl at the register knew how to make our drinks and then she showed us a new “key tag” for small frosty’s each time you come in until the end of August.   We had been sad since the ones we bought in Utah ran out at the end of the year.  We didn’t really need too many things but needed the outing as much as anything.  Once home, I watched some of the WCC Women’s conference tournament games as well as other men’s games on ESPN.   
FRIDAY     Did some additional cleaning, ironed shirts, and tried to straighten everything again to get ready for our “party” at night.   After our afternoon shift at the memorial, we hurried home and finished our candy popcorn, etc.  Soon all the Sr. Missionaries came for a night out.  We talked for a while, Rhonda showed “Only a Stone Cutter” DVD and then we had treats.  After that I tried to get everyone oriented to the rules of Crazy Rook.  After a practice hand, we had an interesting game.  At least it was a chance to “change the scenery” and we all had a good time.   The pictures are around our kitchen table with games and goodies.

SATURDAY     It seemed like a short night before our morning shift.  As soon as we got there, I cut Elder Osborn’s hair.  He must not have thought the last cut was too bad as it has only been two weeks.  Things were quiet so Rhonda went to the Church to get a little practice on the organ.  We did have some excitement at the Memorial.  Sister Tarawhiti (who was just transferred from here) brought some investigators from near Boston as well as more missionaries from a couple hours away brought a group of 20 people.  Osborn’s decided that since they had to drive from so far they would have a “sandwich lunch” for them.  We were also invited to lunch which was nice for a change.  We left Osborn’s with the last group to see a movie and went back to the apartment where there were lots of basketball games going on so I was well contented.

Farewell to February

February 23-28

 

New FM Missionaries: Eld Mike Mooney/ Sis Teri Mooney     Eld Kent Harman/ Sis Tammy Harman

SUNDAY   --    We had Ward Conference at Church today so quite a few visitors.  It was a good meeting, as usual. We went directly from the meetings to the Memorial for the rest of the day.  The Elders from Lamoille, VT scheduled a tour and a 69 minute movie at 4:00pm.  They showed up at 4:45.  We were still there until after 7:00pm and then they went to see the monument and I turned out the lights and drove off while they were still around.  They didn’t seem to be in any hurry.  I was pretty much starved by the time we got home so I cooked the fastest thing I could, Macaroni and cheese.  We then made candied popcorn and I ended up gaining more weight.  Once my stomach got full, I watched the Utah-Ariz. State basketball game on TV along with some other game highlights.  

MONDAY   --   It seemed like a pretty day so I went for a walk but soon found out that the wind was still pretty cold and the ice on the sidewalks was still pretty slippery.  When I got back, Rhonda was making corn-chowder for FHE so I started peeling potatoes.  We are back to doing the afternoon shift now on Mondays and it cuts down a lot of travel and wasted time. 

Sister Tarawhiit saying "Good-bye"

We said good-bye to Sister Tarawhiti today as she is being transferred tomorrow.  There were quite a few at FHE and they didn’t seem to want to disperse either.  Almost all of them sat around and talked until after 7:30pm.  I guess that is good as they probably don’t have a chance to visit with other Church members very much.   

TUESDAY   --   I put on more clothes for my morning walk but the wind was still cool on my face but by the time I got back, the sun was out and the roads seemed about dry so I decided to wash the car again, hoping it would last a couple of days.  It turned out to be a L O N G  day at the Memorial as no visitors came.  I ended up going to the theater and watching a movie.  They had just installed new blinds and it was so light I couldn’t see the movie very good.  I commented to the Osborn’s and they soon called FM to get some darkening blinds.   We went to Northfield, Norwich Univ. for Institute.  We had three students attend tonight.  We seem to have one additional each time, hope the trend continues.   After the treats, the students didn’t seem to want to leave either.  We stayed for over a half-hour and finally asked them to lock the doors when they were finished visiting.  It snowed most of the way back to Sharon--so much for a clean car, but at least I keep trying.  

Refreshment after YW in Excellence Program

WEDNESDAY - There was not much exciting happening at the Memorial today so I went to the visitors center and talked to the new FM missionaries while they were installing some darkening blinds in the theater room.  After they left, I just sat down and watched a movie that I hadn’t seen for another hour.  It seemed like a pretty long day.  The evening didn’t turn out much better.  Rhonda went to the Church to accompany the YW for their program and was gone over two hours.  I tried to keep busy, I re-varnished my JSBM walking sticks as there wasn’t much to watch on TV. 

THURSDAY -  Today is our day-off.  I went for a cold walk up the dirt roads in the morning.  It was pretty cool and it seemed like the wind blew in your face no matter which direction you walked.  There isn’t much happening, snow flurries out the window, etc.  We went to W. Lebanon shopping in the late afternoon.  We have about the same shopping routine each week.  Usually the first stop is to Wendy’s, then to JoAnne’s, the grocery stores and to get gas and then it is back home.  Really not much variety but it always seems to take us a while.   

FRIDAY    It is still cold but I took a walk anyway, about the same as yesterday.  I saw one outside thermometer which showed the temperature to be 2 degrees.   Once I started down the hill I decided to try a little jogging.  I thought I was doing OK and all of a sudden I found myself sprawling on the road.  All I can figure out is that I must have kicked a frozen rock and it upset me.  My dark glasses were all bent out of shape, skinned my knee and made a hole in my pants besides a few scrapes on the side of the face.  Once I got collected I decided it best to walk the rest of the way to the apartment.  It took a few minutes to get the blood on my leg cleaned up and back to normal.  I was lucky, only 1 little to the side of the eye and the rest of the hurt was just my pride.  To the Memorial in the afternoon for our usual afternoon shift.  Harman’s brought their daughter from Virginia for a tour so Rhonda took them through.  That was the only visitor we had for the day.