Hello from Norway!

It's me, your friend, Ingrid Elzbeth Schoenfeldter!  Hope this finds you doing well!

I am doing better:  the yoga classes have been helping with the painful spasms I sometimes experience as a result of my PMA, and I know not to overdo it; if I do, I know it!  Oh, boy, do I ever!  LOL

It helps having someone special in my life.  At this time last year, I had just my family; now I have Larz Tieggeren.  He's as sweet as ever; I feel blessed that God brought him into my life!  He makes life fun!

It's nice to have a boyfriend who looks at me as a person, not as a person who has a disability.  Most people stare at me when they see me and my crutches or my wheelchair; it is embarrassing and makes me rather uncomfortable.  Larz treats me as I want to be treated:  with dignity and respect.

Christmas time is upon us here in Norway with a flourish.  The snow lies thick on the ground, covering trees, roads, everything in sight.  Lights twinkle from houses or fir trees, adding a festive air.  People are nicer, friendlier, more hospitable; they are ready and willing to entertain anyone who comes their way.

I know I have already been to several Christmas parties with Larz -- and it's only the first week of December.  I will probably attend more Christmas parties or functions in the coming days and weeks.  Christmas is nearly two and a half weeks away; seems like only yesterday when the leaves were falling from the trees:  now that remains a distant memory.

So far for Christmas I have gotten robes, nightgowns or pajama sets, a new coffee maker, a sewing machine, and new kitchenware.  Larz is still acting rather secretive:  he refuses to tell me what he has up his sleeve:  he still wears that mischevious little-boy smile I find so endearing yet irritating.

I have been trying like anything to get it out of him:  he refuses to budge.  Grrr!!  Sometimes Larz drives me crazy!!!!

We are saving for a trip to the United States next summer.  I want to see the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, or perhaps visit the Grand Canyon in Arizona.  I'd also like to see the Statue of Liberty in New York City and see the Broadway shows there.  I think that would be a lot of fun!

I saw my sister, Maikken, the other day:  she was in tears.  She couldn't find a particular toy for her little girl, Henneke; she went all over town, and none of the stores/shops carried this toy.  It was so frustrating; I felt so bad for her!!

We have a pet now:  a little Welsh corgi we named Pepi.  He is so cute, but oh, so excitable!  He is just a puppy, so we are in the process of training him to go on the paper instead of the floor.  Like any little child, he has accidents.  We are patient with him, though; he is such a little love!

Although he did nip me in the nose the other day:  I was (attempting) to kiss him on the head; he did not like that.  I was also singing "O, Holy Night"; I guess my voice hurt his itty-bitty ears, so he nipped me.  Startled me; didn't hurt me, thank goodness.  I was, however, surprised!  I did not expect that!

Guess I won't be singing around our little puppy!  LOL

My singing isn't that bad, is it???  :/

Hmm.  Larz seems to like how I sing; I know he sings like an angel!  He majored in music when in college; he wanted to be a professional singer, but family duties and military service prevented this. 

He was in the Norwegian Army.  Served six years; went all over the world:  saw sights that were amazing; he captured them on film.  He still talks about the "roos" he saw in Australia and the horrid taste of something called "Vegemite".  LOL  He also talks about holding a baby koala bear in his lap; he says it was the softest fur in the world!  He said he did good with the koala until it peed on his leg when Larz sneezed!  LOL

Well, Pepi is whining to be let out, so I have to go.  Talk to you soon!  Have a very merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!

~Love, Ingrid S.  :)