Louisiana writes her Finnish friend, Sari Gustaffssenn, a letter. She also writes to Nikolas Constantinos, Sari's fiance', from Greece, who is staying with Sari until the early spring, when they will then go to Greece, just in time for their upcoming wedding.
Tuesday, the 4th of January, 2005, 5:15 p.m., C.S.T.~
Dear Sari and Nikolas~
Hai! Miita kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaas! Or, as in your case, Nik, so you don't feel left out, Gia'sou! (That's all I know in Greek; I am sorry I don't know more! You will have to teach me!)
I am fine, and I hope this finds you both well. I am glad to say that your package came with no problems; it got here two days before Christmas. The kids loved the books you sent, and they also loved the postcards and the toys! Thank you so much for thinking of them! And thanks for enclosing the pictures of you; you both look absolutely terrific!
I can't believe that in only four short months we will be in GREECE for a WEDDING! We are really looking forward to it; but for now, the joy is tempered a bit because in about a month, I will be going to Sri Lanka, to help out with the survivors of the recent earthquake/tsunami disaster. I and a team of fellow doctors and nurses from my work will be going, and as much as we are looking forward to helping those in the greatest need, I am also scared because I really haven't been out of the continental United States (other than to go to Mexico or Canada, that is!); and Sri Lanka is so far away from the U.S. But God laid this upon my heart, and I must go; when He speaks, I have no choice but TO listen to Him! So duty calls, and I must do it! Be praying for me; I can really use them! Pray that I get to Sri Lanka and back with no problems whatsoever, and pray that I don't get sick! That would NOT be good! Also pray for my family, and pray that they remain healthy during the duration that I am in Sri Lanka! I will keep you posted on this, as things develop; but I have since gotten my shots (OWIE! My arms are so sore they feel like they are about to fall off!), and I have had my passport updated. So everything I need is in good working order, and all I have to do is wait and then go to Sri Lanka to help with the victims there.
I will be sure to email you from Sri Lanka as time permits, but I suspect that I won't get much in the way of writing done. But JUST in case I DO have some free time, I WILL be writing on my laptop; I plan on taking that with me to Sri Lanka! I want to let my friends and my family know just how I am faring there, and that way, you can know what exactly is up with me. Big adventures to be had for sure for me!! WHEE!!
But on to a much happier vein...my kids are all well, and Johnny and Ronee' are too. Ronee' is all better, she hasn't been sick since her cold, and Johnny has managed to stay well himself: no unexpected seizures or breathing troubles, thank the Lord!! :) He seems to be doing well; he hasn't had any new signs of progression in his disease, and that we can be extremely thankful for! God is good, isn't He?? He is really blessing our little family, and I hope that this continues! Thank you for asking about them; I shall tell Johnny and Ronee' (and the other 48!) that you and Nik say hi! Is that fair enough??
The weather here is warm, warmer than it's been, but by next week, we may have more cold weather (and possibly snow or ICE) to go along with it. NICE. Just what I did NOT want to hear. It is so hard to get around anyway when it's icy out, but it's worse for thos of us who face disability! It is so hard trying to walk on ice with crutches or canes, and trying to push a wheelchair up a slippery incline is next to IMPOSSIBLE at times! You know how our driveway has that steep incline...NOT a good thing when it is ICY! YIPES! LOL I just hope I don't bust my yo before I go to Sri Lanka! Is the weather still cold there in Finland? (Probably, laughs Louisiana. LOL)
Bill is fine too; he has been working lots of hours since the holidays, but it may slow before Valentines, when it will then pick up again. He has been working as many as six days a week on average, pulling in eight-to-ten-hour-long days. He is beat by the time he comes home, but he still loves his job! My job is going well too, but I had to work Christmas Day (thank GOD it was slow!!); so we didn't have our Christmas until I got home from work. We had a nice Christmas, and our friends from California, the Williams family (mama Kendra and her 12 adopted daughters, all with disabilities!), were over. Mama Kendra, who has spina bifida and is in a wheelchair, is still doing well, and now they are getting ready to adopt a THIRTEENTH daughter, a little girl from Japan! Isn't that wonderful?? I am so happy for them!!
My daughters Melizza and Dianna were over (they live about five/ten minutes away, in an apt. complex for people with disabilities; both are doing well), and I was wishing that Lightning, Tanya, and Dwerlina could have been home too, but Lightning's husband couldn't get time off from work, and both Tanya and Dwerlina had to work at THEIR jobs. So they stayed behind; but at least they called on Christmas, to let us know that they were thinking of us, and they wanted to wish us a happy Christmas Day; plus it was Ronee' 's 12th birthday, so they wanted to wish HER a happy birthday. They also wanted to wish Johnny a happy birthday, as HIS birthday is the day AFTER Christmas! YIKES! LOL
December is a hard month on us, as far as birthdays go, especially Christmas week. From December 18th until the 25, there is a kid who has a birthday, and then you have Johnny and Rhiannon, whose birthdays fall on December 26th and 27th respectively. So there is no rest for the weary in the birthday department THAT week! I am always so happy when that week is over! LOL
I am glad you saw the meteors, Sari. They WERE beautiful, weren't they? Speaking of weather phenonema, I loved the pic of the aurora you put on your last email; pretty! It reminded me of a flying saucer; quite an unusual formation of the Lights! Still, very pretty! We saw the meteors ourselves; and we really enjoyed the so-called "earth-grazers". But according to Spaceweather.com, there are no auroras forecast. Darn! Do you ever keep up on that stuff? We do, and it's partly due to our son, Johnny, our little weather bug! LOL He is just weather WILD! LOL
I will go now; I have to feed Jodie, and also fix the little ones their supper. They are standing around me, looking like little baby birds, with their mouths hanging open! They look too cute! I will write more later; I will write more before I go to Sri Lanka! Again, thanks for your package, and thanks for writing! Always good to hear from you both!
Love, and many blessings for the new year to you both!~ Nakemiin!!
As always, your friend in America, Louisiana in Tennessee. :)
P.S.: I hope you like the picture I put on this one; it is a testament to my Native American heritage. Isn't that beautiful? I saw it and I just knew that I had to share it with you! (I am half Cherokee Indian on my mother's side of the family, and I look it, too, with my ruddy skin, my dark hair, and black eyes! There's no denying my Native American heritage when you see me! LOL)
nice story Karen. I have cherokee indian blood also. and believe it not, one of my ancesters was white. so i'm all mixed up but mostly my african american domninates. l&p g
Yankee Doodle Daddy is a historical Appalachian Family Saga. The story follows a mother's reckoning as she struggles to survive and keep her four daughters alive.
Tuesday, the 4th of January, 2005, 5:15 p.m., C.S.T.~
