The Last Days.....of January

January 26-31

SUNDAY   We went to Church a little early as Rhonda had been asked to play preliminary music but when we got there she wasn’t needed.  The Church was very cold, both Rhonda and I ended up going to get our overcoats.  From there we moved on to our shift for the afternoon at the Memorial.  We had a visitor from AF but we couldn’t place her.

Josh is a boy from Idaho - working on a dairy farm here

Sunday evening all the missionaries gathered at the Memorial for a nice dinner.  We were eating Johnson’s pork loin plus everyone else contributed an item or two.  I ended up eating too much but it surely was good.  My waist-line is starting to show the effects of too much food and too little exercise.  

Sister Houston replaced Sis. Sumsion last transfer

Sister Tarawhiti is always bright and happy

MONDAY  When I went to warm up the car this morning, I figured it was too good to be true as the temperature was up to 28 degrees.  Sure enough, it soon started to snow and blow and was colder within a few hours.  Several new inches of snow had accumulated by the time we headed back to the apartment.  Going down Dairy Hill Rd. I applied the brakes and started to slide.  We managed to get home OK but it was a little scary.  Home and I relaxed while Rhonda cooked for FHE.  Most of the regulars made it to FHE.  Dyches gave a good lesson and there was plenty of good food so, of course, I couldn’t pass it up again.  
TUESDAY   This is the day we go to the Memorial a half-hour earlier now that the Osborns are the directors.  We have a weekly meeting!  After the meeting, it was our regular shift.  Visitors are still sparse but there is usually someone. 

WEDNESDAY     Today seemed like a very  L O N G  day.  Osborn’s day off so we were at the Memorial all day and with only one visitor to break up the day.   When the day was finally finished, we hurried to change our clothes and loaded up Shefchiks and drove to W.Lebanon where we met the other Senior missionaries at Lui Lui’s for a going away dinner.   

Both the Shefchiks and Dyches leave within the next week so Osborns and Ogdens treated. 

 THURSDAY   -   Today was our day off.  Before we were even up and going Judy Shefchik was knocking on our door to have Rhonda check something out and to show her what they left for her to clean in their apt.  Their car was so loaded that it bottomed out as they went over a bump leaving the driveway. 

Saying 'Good-bye' to Shefchicks

 After seeing Shefchicks off, we decided to take a little road trip to Northfield, VT.  That is where we will teach Institute starting next Tuesday. 

We meet in a room at Norwich University which is the first private military university in America.   After finding our building, we saw several covered bridges within a short distance of each other all going over the same water way.  It was quite a fall but we couldn’t see the falls very good as they were frozen.  Something for another trip.  From there we went to the outskirts of Montpelier  and did a little shopping.  Had lunch at Subway and headed for home via Randolph which we hadn’t seen either.  BYU basketball was on late but I managed to stay awake till the end. 

 

FRIDAY    --We had the afternoon shift today so we took a walk to start the day.  I am gaining too many pounds so need to get a little exercise.  On our walk we went past the recycling station and collected  $3.55 from our empty pop bottles so guess it is worth it.  The weather warmed up a little so I did the bucket wash on a very dirty car.  I still had time before going to the Memorial so I worked on de-barking a couple of my future walking sticks outside.  The clean-up was easier than on the carpet inside the apt.  On our way to the Memorial, I saw that they had trimmed some more Maple trees so I went looking for more sticks.   We had several visitors but still time to mess with sticks.  After getting home and had a bite to eat, I went back to work de-barking the sticks on the kitchen (non-carpet) floor.  I did the three I had and by then my hands and back ached so it was past time to quit, I have been having some trouble with the back lately anyway.  I was glad I had the sticks to work on since Friday’s there is usually not much sporting on TV that is worth watching.

SATURDAY    Fixed lunch for our day at the Memorial as Osborns went with Dyches to the Boston Temple so we were at the Memorial all day.  Things were pretty quiet for most of the day.  Once home, we made a fast trip to Lebanon for some groceries.  We also hit a couple of other stores and found some things on their “close-out” sales so I picked up a couple of sweaters.  They ended up being about $ 10.00/each.   Rhonda also found a few sale items.  We decided they would count for our “Valentine” as candy would not help with the weight problem.  There was a light snow as we drove back to the apartment which dirtied up the car again.  It is a real pain to try to keep the car looking respectful.  I keep trying so it doesn’t look like all the other cars from Vermont all the time.  I stayed up later as BYU basketball started at 11:00pm Vermont time.  It proved to be a pretty good game so I had to see it to the end.

Back to our Apartment, Again

January 19-25

Simon-Pearce Glass Blowing Factory

SUNDAY   -  We had the day off from the monument so about all we accomplished was to attend Church.  I did watch them clean up a wreck on the highway just in front of our apartment. I heard the crash while lying on the bed before I was ready to get up.  We had a nice dinner (pork chops) and then just relaxed the rest of the day.

I knitted this scarf for one of the FHE ladies

MONDAY    While I was putting the flag out this morning the first visitor came.  The guy was a history/religion professor at a Jr. College on Long Island, NY.  I thought it was a good tour.  The guy asked lots of questions and was happy to take a Book of Mormon.  They said they would read it.  As he left he said he would tell his member friend about his visit and I said that he was going to read the Book of Mormon.  He said, not just The Book of Mormon, but a copy from Joseph Smith’s birthplace!  We had a small change in the schedule so after the morning, we went back to the apartment for a while and then had to go back to the Memorial for Family Home Evening. I think this is the first FHE I haven’t been in a suit.  After we did the dishes, we returned back to the apartment.  I watched some good tennis matches while Rhonda cleaned a chair and mattress for the Shefchiks with her steamer. 

TUESDAY      It is getting quite cold outside now, snow, etc predicted along with colder temps.  We had to go to the Memorial ½ hour early on Tuesday (every Tuesday from now on) as Elder Osborn is starting a weekly training meeting with all the missionaries.  After the meeting, we spent most of the afternoon researching/talking about different dates and scenarios concerning the visitor center booklet and the visitor center diorama.  It turned out to be an interesting and beneficial afternoon.  

WEDNESDAY   Today was our  l o n g  day for the week.  We opened and closed so the Osborns could have a day off.  Since we are now a couple short, we will do this procedure for a couple months until we can get back to a full complement of missionary couples.  We even had a few visitors making the day more interesting and making the time pass a little quicker.  

Looking out from the Simon-Pearce Factory window

THURSDAY  Today was pay back, our day off.  We didn’t get a lot accomplished early in the day but finally got the apartment cleaned up a little, Rhonda did some washing, etc.  In the afternoon we drove to Quechee and visited the Simon-Pierce glass blowing factory.  It was really an interesting thing to watch them do their trade and to try to make them as identical as possible.  You could see a covered bridge out the window of their factory as well as it being right on the River.  There was a waterfall right outside the factory and with the weather being so cold, there were a lot of neat looking ice formations where the water mist would freeze creating various designs.  I could have spent more time looking around but time dictated we move on.  From there, we drove on to W. Lebanon to do some grocery shopping, etc.  It seems like we can always use more food even though I am gaining too much weight.   
FRIDAY   We worked the afternoon shift today.  We didn’t have any visitors as I assume it is too COLD for people to be out and about..  High temperatures now are between 12 -15 degrees.  With no visitors, I worked more on taxes.   At  the end of the shift we hurried to lock up so we could meet the Osborns in Lebanon to go out to dinner to  a new Mexican Restaurant.   (Margarita’s)  It was a nice place and the food was OK but I guess I am still partial to Mi Ranchito in AF.  Had to pick up a few more groceries and then home.  Work on more tax stuff for a while before giving in to the sports on TV.  
SATURDAY    Early shift today and we even had a couple of visitors for a change.  Not being really rushed, I worked on more tax stuff.  I find it harder to do with some of my records, etc. in Utah and me in VT.  Sister Dyches brought me a Maple walking stick from the trees lining the road to the Memorial.  I spent an hour trying to get the bark off the last part of the shift.  Once we were home and had some lunch, I went back to working on the stick.  I finally gave up trying to confine the shavings and soon had them all over the floor.  After a few more hours, several cuts and band-aids to help control the bleeding from the knife slips, I finally had it about done.  Then it proved no small task to get the floor cleaned up as well.  In between times of working on the stick, I watched BYU women’s basketball and men’s volleyball and basketball (late, late at night.  Rhonda made some delicious rice pudding and I surely over-did a good thing but it sure was good!
 

Washing the car at 10 degrees..... (yes a little crazy)

I was worried that his feet would totally freeze!

Living at the Memorial

January 12-18

Our home for this week

SUNDAY  -  The buzzer started going off while I was still in bed.  (This is a chime inside the residence which is activated when a car drives through).  After the second one, I decided that I had better get up so I managed to catch the third one before we left for Church.  (mostly drive thru’s or dog walkers)  Had to hurry right back at the conclusion of the block meetings and get things going.  We had a couple of visitor groups but things are quite slow.  After closing (we usually close about 5:00pm but it is dark by 4:30) there was not much going on so I spent the evening watching NFL Play-off and Australian Tennis I happened to find on ESPN.  Glad to see some Tennis again.  
 MONDAY--   Things were pretty slow but we still had a couple of visitors who said they were just driving up the highway and happened to see the sign on the Interstate so decided to come check it out.  We were the hosts for the Family Evening activity tonight.  It happened by default since we are the only ones here on the premises.  Things went pretty good and had a good turnout as well.  We made another quick trip back to the apt. to get a few more clothes and a few essentials.  

TUESDAY  --  This morning we made a quick stop at the apartment to return  a modem we had been using for over 2 months.  They gave it to us to use while they were trying to get our internet working properly and just hadn’t picked it up until this morning.  From there, in the rain, we drove to Burlington to get Rhonda’s green carry-on that didn’t make the transfer in NY.  It took until Sunday to get to VT but this was our first chance to go get it.  The Dyches watched the place for us but since it rained all day, no one came.  We hurried on our trip and even had to wait at Costco for them to open the doors so we could get a few quick items and then hurry back to the Memorial.  Everything was in Rhonda’s bag except her liquids baggie of make-up etc. but she wasn’t real hopeful of that anyway since the pocket it was in wasn’t even zippered.   I made a quick change of clothes and soon President Stoker brought all the missionaries who were going home over to take the tour.  They usually take them to the Boston Temple but it is closed for cleaning so they ended up choosing to come here.  I took them on the tour and we all had a good visit before they left at closing time.  I tried to relax a little and watch some tennis on TV but the chairs here are really uncomfortable for TV watching. So, I suffered through it anyway.  I still wonder how much snow would be on the ground if we were having snow rather than rain?

Decided to steam clean the kitchen floor while staying there

Steaming the dirt out of the cracks

WEDNESDAY  -    Elder Osborne called early  to say that Elder Johnson was released last night and that he had been called to be the new Director for a 2 year period.  We were both a little surprised at it being two additional years.  The day started off with sunshine and pleasant temperatures (for mid-January in VT).  I even got ambitious and walked down to the main road to get the newspaper.  Then Rhonda walked down to the church to practice the organ.  The weather deteriorated as the day drew on.  Not a lot of activity at the Center but we were grateful for those who came.  Elder Johnson called to talk but I didn’t dare say too much as he didn’t let on any clue that he thought he had been released.  Poor guy. Our last visitors came just as I was getting ready to lock up.  It is amazing how often it happens that way.  I spent the night doing some book reading, a little TV, etc.  Not really much happening out here by ourselves.  

Steamed Clean!

THURSDAY  --  The day started off with a dusting of snow and lightly snowed until just before noon.  I mainly sat around  waiting for visitors and finally got bored enough that I went out and helped Elder Dyches shovel snow from around the monument.  It felt good but my back will suffer for another week.  We finally had visitors come and as usual, they come one group right after another.  Snow started again in the late afternoon.  In the evening, I dropped Rhonda off at the Church to go to Relief Society and then on to the apartment.  I had a good chance to relax for a while before picking her up and going back to the center.    FRIDAY  --  For lack of excitement, I cleaned all the path to the visitor center (snow removal).  Rhonda spent the morning cleaning house for the Osborns.  They arrived a little after noon.  We had a good visit with them and talked a little about the future.  They sent us home for most of the afternoon so we unloaded our “baggage” (plastic grocery bags) at the apartment and went to Lebanon shopping.  Rhonda needed to replace her lost make-up etc.  When we returned home I watched BYU’s basketball game from last night that I had recorded along with some Australian Open tennis.  I just found a place on the TV where I could connect to the tennis channel.   Glad for that!   
SATURDAY  --   Opened up this morning.  Again we spent quite a bit of time discussing things with the Osborns.  Back to the apartment for lunch then back to the Church for a baptism of one of the ward members.  Sister Tarawhiti had asked Rhonda to play for her to sing during the baptism.  It started to snow in the evening so we returned directly to the apartment.  I felt tired so I took an hour and one-half  nap on the bed.  I was much more alert to watch tennis and basketball on TV for the evening

The Director's Residence with our car parked in the driveway

I decided it would be nice to show some pictures of inside the home.

From the entry - looking into living/dining rooms

From dining room looking thru Living Room toward front door

Living Room

Dining Room (left)

Dining Room (right)

Kitchen dining nook

Looking into kitchen from Dining Room (notice the clean floor!)

Standing at the kitchen sink is beautiful to look out at the Monument

 

Master Bedroom

Master - the movers had just taken Johnson's stuff out

 

Guest Bedroom - where we stayed

Guest Bedroom

Guest bathroom

 

Missionary Office - this is where we work when not giving tours at Visitors' Center