Tues., April 8, 2008, Ivalo, Finland~

Dear Journal~

Terve!  Miita kuuluu?  Kiitos hyvaa!

Sari Annike writing.  (Who else would be writing in here?? Certainly not Nikolas or the children! LOL)  Hope this finds you well!

I am doing okay; better today than as of late.  Seems my fibromyalgia isn't bothering me nearly as much, and my MS is quieter too: can get away with using just the crutches today.

I will be going to the store in a little while; but first wanted to write in my journal, to let you know how I am faring.  Nik will have the kids while I go shopping with Ilsa Rekkonen, my friend.

The Easter service at church was beautiful.  I cried.  And Birtta raised a huge, noisy fuss when another child took the egg a fellow church goer gave to her; it took a while for Nik to try to calm her down.

It was rather embarrassing: you could hear Birtta yelling throughout the sanctuary!

She may be small, but she more than makes up for it with her voice, especially if upset or angry!! LOL

Typical preschooler! LOL

The Easter egg hunt the kids had was cancelled: weather too cold, snowy.  We would have had it inside, but the cat kept finding all the eggs, ruining the surprise. 

Weather now still cold, but such as life here in the Arctic Circle.  Days are getting longer, and sun is staying out more.  In just a little over two months, the sun will be out nearly 24 hours as we celebrate the arrival of summer.

The auroras are out in full force at night; have seen some amazing displays.  I have always loved Aurora's magical dance on the Finnish night sky!  I wish more people could see the aurora in all her glory!!

I saw my friend Helvig; he's back!!  He now lives here in Ivalo again; he's staying with his parents until he finds a job.  Then when he gets enough money saved up, he'll move into his own place. 

He looks haggard in the face; I worry about him.  He does not look well!

I will have to pray for Helvig!

I still have to answer Louie's letter; it's still sitting on the kitchen table.  I have been so busy I haven't had the time to write to her!! She must think I dropped off the face of the Earth! (Or died!! LOL)  I will try to write to Louie tonight; if I do I'll be extremely surprised!

Well, Ilsa is honking her car horn; will have to grab my crutches, then go.  I will write in here again another time.  Until later, this is Sari Annike saying Nakemiin!

~Love, your Finnish friend, Sari A. :)