Tuesday, 28 Feb., 2006, early morning, Ivalo, Finland~

Dear Louisiana in America~

Huomenta! Miita kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaas!

As you can surmise from this greeting, you can probably guess that it is me, Sari. I hope this finds you well; I am doing okay, but I have been missing you, so I decided to write to you.

It is cold here in Ivalo: temperatures in the 20's, windy, and very snowy. It shan't be long before spring decides to come and winter's grasp will soon be but a distant memory. I am glad winter is almost over: I am ready for some warmer weather! LOL

I am over my cold, and I am feeling more like myself again. I thought that the cold was going to KILL me; I was so miserable it wasn't funny! Nikky made me some chicken soup that was so tasty, and he also made sure that I took it easy while I was abed. I would have taken some medication, but as you know I am with child. Speaking of, I have sent you some pictures that Nikky took of me. Hope you enjoy them, as I do! :)

Nikky is still working hard; he is getting another promotion at work. He is doing well, and his bosses are very pleased with his overall performance on the job. I am proud of my Nikky: he works hard for our money, and he makes sure that I have everything I need. He is a wonderful husband! :)

We are about recovered from the jetlag we had from being in Italy and then flying back here to Finland. I still am confused somewhat of the time; at times my brain thinks I am still in Italy, and I wake up at the weirdest hours! Such as the case today. I feel like it is still Monday, but it is dawning on Tuesday here! LOL

How are the children? How is Bill doing? I heard that he fell. (I do believe it was YOU who told me the news.) I do hope he wasn't badly hurt and I hope he is feeling better!

Give your family all of our love, and tell them that we say hello! I sure do miss you, and I miss your family; hence, this letter.

I wish we could have gone to the Closing Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, but I was feeling bad, so we opted to leave for home earlier. We did get you some souvenirs from Torino, and I think you will like what we picked out for you.

We got ourselves a lot of things, and we came back with very little in the way of money. Finnish markka (or Finnmark outside of Finland) just doesn't last very long when one is on vacation! LOL We almost ended up homeless! (NOT really, but we don't have much in the way of cash until our money for the new month comes in!)

We have been having some very active auroras here in Ivalo. Whilest tonight (okay, this morning!) was/is cloudy and inclimate, there have been some spectacular auroral activity, and I took some pictures of the Lights. I will be mailing those with the pictures that Nikky took of me. I will also be sending you the Olympic souvenirs we got for you; so be expecting a big package from us in the coming month! :)

I will let you go now. I am getting heavy-lidded all of a sudden; it is a sudden struggle to keep my eyes open! I am also yawning my face off! LOL (What a pretty picture, me yawning like a sleepy bear just waking up from his long winter nap! LOL) Take care, Louie, and know that you are ever in my thoughts and prayers! God bless you too!

Until next time, Nakemiin!

Love, your Finnish friend, Sari Annike.

P.S.: I CRIED yesterday when Finland lost to the Swedes for the men's hockey gold medal game! Oh, well--at least we got a silver medal; better than NOT getting ANY medal at all! :)

~Sari.