B-Day Celebs

On Sunday the Abel families gathered for some birthday celebrations. We had missed celebrating my niece, McKennah's birthday in December so we threw her into the mix along with my sister, Sylvia, my sister's boyfriend, Mike, and two of my nieces. One of my nieces, Saydee, was not present because it wasn't possible for my brother and his wife to make it down from Idaho. We sang to her and presents had been sent. She was missed a lot. Everyone enjoyed the cherry pie and sugar cookies that were served, especially my youngest niece. Pictures will prove that. We had loads of fun. It was a great way to start a new week.
To those in my family whose birthdays were celebrated Sunday, I wish you many happy returns. May 2008 be as great as your birthdays were!

Waterless, again!

This time it's my fault. I forgot to put my faucet on a drip overnight and I woke up this morning to discover that the faucet was spitting out its contempt for me and my forgetfulness. I feel lousy about it. I am hoping that this time around is not as bad as last time. It's a lesson to me and I don't think I'll forget again to leave our water on at a drip. It reinforces my deep hatred for brumal weather. May our pipes, or our neighbor's pipes, never freeze again!

Well, here's an update...As it turns out, it wasn't my fault at all. Our former neighbors came and tripped the fuse turning off the heat. The water in the toilet was frozen solid. The difference between the outside temp and the inside temp was only 2 degrees. Thanks, neighbors! Now if only the pipes don't break.

13

Thirteen years ago today, I found myself on a plane returning home to Midvale, Utah after having served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a difficult time. The sorrow I felt at leaving was diminished only somewhat by seeing my family again after 18 months. I felt a bit ghost-like leaving Romania and coming home. The fact that I had completed my mission and was home didn't really hit me until the plane landed, only to hit me again in the office of my Stake President as he released me and I removed the symbol of my missionary identity. Thirteen years later, I still miss my missionary life and the people with whom I became acquainted and grew to love. A good sized chunk of my heart will always be in Romania. Sa traiasca Romaniei!

Waterless

I woke up yesterday when my sister, Kathryn, opened the door to my room to tell me that the pipes in the empty unit next door to us had frozen. That left us, unfortunately, waterless. She called some people and they eventually got in touch with the Realtor, who let him in to turn on the heat. That guy told us our water would be on by 3 or 4 p.m. We held our bladders. We drank bottled water. We used bottled water for cooking or drank milk. 3 p.m. rolled around...no water. 4 p.m. came...no water. 5 p.m. arrived...still no water.

I had prepared dinner for a dear friend and her husband and so at 6 p.m. I took it over. By the way, there was no water at 6 p.m. I apologized for the way I looked and explained to them that my appearance was a result of no water. These good people said, "Why don't you go home, get some shower stuff, take a shower here, and eat dinner with us?"

You know what? That's exactly what I did.

By 9 p.m. ...no water.

By 10 p.m. ...no water.

This morning, when I woke up, still NO WATER!

I stayed in touch with my sister, who stayed home from work another day (worked from home)
who told sent a text message at 12:56 p.m. that we are no longer WATERLESS! Hooray! Toilets will flush. Faucets will run. Showers will be taken.

Ecstasy!

A New Year's Eve Lunch

My dear friends, Martissa, Mike, Vallen, James, Grace, and Lizzie Spencer, who are visiting Utah from Colorado, came to see me today. We went to lunch at Red Robin. I sat by Grace. She and I are good friends. We had a lovely meal and a nice time together. Here are a few pictures from that outing. Since it's likely to be the only New Year's Eve activity for me, I thank the Spencers for spending part of their day with me.

Christmas 2007

This Christmas was a lovely time for me and my family. Unfortunately, not all of my family members were present. The Idaho gang stayed in Idaho and the Sandy troupe went to Hawaii. Christmas Eve I spent with my sister, Karin, and our parents. There hasn't been such a small gathering for Christmas Eve since 1973. I was two. Kathryn was one and our mom was pregnant with Sylvia. Here are a couple of festive pictures I thought you'd enjoy. I have no pictures to offer you of the fabulous Christmas Day rice pudding. I can say that it was delicious as usual and I had three bowls which I shared with my niece, Lauren, who absolutely loved it. Justin won the prize. This year it was $5 and two traditional marzipan pigs which my parents found at the World Market.

Romanian Rocks!

I was thinking this morning about some of the things Romanians say that we don't have an English equivalent for. One example is "Multi inainte!" This is something one says in response to a happy birthday wish or upon finding out how old someone is. Another appropriate thing that can be said here is, "Sa cresti mare si sanatos!" When nieces or nephews or children or grandchildren come up in a conversation, a Romanian would wish, "Sa va traiasca!" This means that they want your extended family members to live a long time. There is of course the ever useful, "Poftim/Poftiti" depending on how formal you need to be. It basically means, "Please, do." When something to eat is offered or you let someone through a door, it is a useful phrase. My favorite is, "La multi ani!" This can be used for anything from birthdays, to special occassions, to major holidays of any kind.

I love the Romanian language and all the fun things about it.

La multi ani!