Flats, Flooding, and Gnomes!
As we stepped outside our door this morning, it was nippy! We had our lightweight coats on, but I also had a sweater, tights, blouse and skirt, and was almost comfortable. The sky overhead was light cerulean with fast-moving clouds gliding by. I stood, staring up at them, and was struck with how different the sky looks here than Arizona. I think it must be that clouds don't seem as close or as dynamic. They lazily float in the sky overhead as though there is no place to be anytime soon.
Unlike us today. We had two missionary flat inspections, farther away than we had been before. The first one took us about 2 hours to reach. Fortunately, getting out of town was a piece of cake. We arrived at their flat, and to tell you the truth, I struggled to find something to compliment them about.
They were cute young elders, friendly to a fault and dressed neatly. We spent some time with them talking about the whys of keeping a clean apartment. We asked for the grand tour, and then showed us around. It became apparent that the place was reasonably clean, but almost hopelessly cluttered. They had mounted a full-scale attack on the clutter before we got there, and there were large plastic garbage bags of stuff to be taken somewhere. Other things were neatly folded to be left for future missionaries' possible use.
SK advised them that many missionaries abandon things in apartments, thinking someone in the future might use something they have left. They should get rid of as much as possible.
We asked if everything was working properly, and were told of a list of non-working things, including the drain in the kitchen. The sink was clean. They told us that they pour boiling water down the drain from time to time to "sanitize" it. The washing machine was there right next to the sink and under the counter, and it was self-importantly humming away with a load of clothes.
After the walk-through, we sat down a minute to talk, and suddenly noticed water all over the kitchen floor! The sink was overflowing with washing machine sudsy water. We had them call their landlord and report it and the other things that need to be seen to. I hope it gets taken care of soon.
They are just 18 and 19, and so unfamiliar with some of these things. They are learning. And I love them. They are good young men.
Next we saw the flat of two sisters who lived in a town about a half hour from there. The neighborhood, the building, even the little sign on the building announcing its name were all so charming that I could easily imagine I was in a Jane Austen book!
Once inside, the feeling persisted. White walls, wood stairs on the staircase with white rails going upstairs. On the landing in front of the flat was a white 8-paned window. I wish I had snapped a picture of the brilliantly-colored fall leaves just outside. The apartment was spotless, well-ordered and peaceful, with windows looking out at those magnificent trees in every room. The sisters were cute.
We couldn't resist stopping at Costco on the way home (it really was on the way!) It's so much like the one in Gilbert, but at the same time it is so different. I've never seen so much candy! It was fun to stroll around. We picked up a few items to serve our YSAs....sweets....goodies...things they normally wouldn't get for themselves.
I ended the day by ordering a $5 tomte gnome on Amazon.uk Christmas is right around the corner and we cannot be without our little Danish nissemen! It won't be here until November 15, but when he comes, you will be the first to see him.
Unlike us today. We had two missionary flat inspections, farther away than we had been before. The first one took us about 2 hours to reach. Fortunately, getting out of town was a piece of cake. We arrived at their flat, and to tell you the truth, I struggled to find something to compliment them about.
They were cute young elders, friendly to a fault and dressed neatly. We spent some time with them talking about the whys of keeping a clean apartment. We asked for the grand tour, and then showed us around. It became apparent that the place was reasonably clean, but almost hopelessly cluttered. They had mounted a full-scale attack on the clutter before we got there, and there were large plastic garbage bags of stuff to be taken somewhere. Other things were neatly folded to be left for future missionaries' possible use.
SK advised them that many missionaries abandon things in apartments, thinking someone in the future might use something they have left. They should get rid of as much as possible.
We asked if everything was working properly, and were told of a list of non-working things, including the drain in the kitchen. The sink was clean. They told us that they pour boiling water down the drain from time to time to "sanitize" it. The washing machine was there right next to the sink and under the counter, and it was self-importantly humming away with a load of clothes.
After the walk-through, we sat down a minute to talk, and suddenly noticed water all over the kitchen floor! The sink was overflowing with washing machine sudsy water. We had them call their landlord and report it and the other things that need to be seen to. I hope it gets taken care of soon.
They are just 18 and 19, and so unfamiliar with some of these things. They are learning. And I love them. They are good young men.
Next we saw the flat of two sisters who lived in a town about a half hour from there. The neighborhood, the building, even the little sign on the building announcing its name were all so charming that I could easily imagine I was in a Jane Austen book!
Once inside, the feeling persisted. White walls, wood stairs on the staircase with white rails going upstairs. On the landing in front of the flat was a white 8-paned window. I wish I had snapped a picture of the brilliantly-colored fall leaves just outside. The apartment was spotless, well-ordered and peaceful, with windows looking out at those magnificent trees in every room. The sisters were cute.
We couldn't resist stopping at Costco on the way home (it really was on the way!) It's so much like the one in Gilbert, but at the same time it is so different. I've never seen so much candy! It was fun to stroll around. We picked up a few items to serve our YSAs....sweets....goodies...things they normally wouldn't get for themselves.
I ended the day by ordering a $5 tomte gnome on Amazon.uk Christmas is right around the corner and we cannot be without our little Danish nissemen! It won't be here until November 15, but when he comes, you will be the first to see him.
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