5 August, 2008 (Tuesday), Ivalo, Finland~

Dear Journal~

Terve!  Miita kuuluu?  Kiitos hyvaa!

This is Annike J. Terggen writing; hope this finds you well.  I just got home from seeing my fibro doctor; he says I'm doing fairly good.  Must be; the medication he's given me has seemed to have helped the pain somewhat.  I'm able to function better than I was before I started taking the medication.

The only thing is that the drugs make me stupid-headed.  I sometimes feel as though I'm esconced in fog; however, it's better than hurting all over, not being able to function because the pain is so bad!

The weather here is thundery, rainy.  Very miserable.  Not fit for man or beast; it's a good day for soup or hot tea!  Or playing on the Internet all day or writing letters.  :)  We don't get thunderstorms that often here in Finland, but when we do they can be quite frightening.  I don't like thunder or lightning; never have, never will.

I wrote to a lady in America (Tennessee) who's a friend to Sari.  Sari has met her several times; she's the one who told me about her.  Anyway, the woman is a nurse, and she and her husband have taken in a whole bunch of children, most of them disabled, into their home to raise as their own.  I hope she writes me back; I can always use new friends!

I don't have children, but I love children.  If I could, I'd adopt a child in need of a home or a family, but I don't think my body could handle the demands of raising a child.  So I remain childless, single.  I am not looking for a significant other, but it would be nice to have a male friend, even if only for companionship, instead of my buddies, most of whom are sick or have chronic health problems, just as I do.

I have been reading a good book by Tim LaHaye, called "Left Behind".  It's very riveting; I can't put it down, it's that good.  I will have to check out the other books in that series; I am a regular bookworm!

I guess I inherited my love for books from Mother; she was a children's librarian before she retired.  She worked in the library for over 30 years; the kids just loved her.  I can see why; Mother has such a soft, easygoing personality that makes her a regular magnet for children.

Maybe today sometime I'll hear from Elke or Racheal, my sisters.  I wish I could see them more than just on holidays; we are extremely close.  And it helps having them here whenever Mother or Papa take ill!

I love it when my sisters come because they bring their kids, and they're like my own children.  I love spoiling them! LOL  (Racheal has two daughters--Zara, 15, and Ericka--13; meanwhile Elke has three sons:  Peiter--17, Reiker--14, and the youngest, 10-year-old Ollaf.)  The children are always sending me things they've made in the mail or videos of them singing; they are extremely talented.  I am very proud of them.

Well, KittenKat, my kitty, is meowing again, so I'd best go, see what's up with the little furry beast.  I will write in here again soon; take care, and until later, Nakemiin!

~Love, your Finnish friend, Annike Josephine Terggen. :D