What a Guy!
I have been overdue for a haircut and today was finally the day. The GPS tells us that it is 1.3 miles. I felt like that would be a good walk for me since I haven't been walking much lately, and I really need to get out and walk. However, I "walk" a fine line here, because my feet are not as great for walking as they used to be.....but the rest of me feels great to get that exercise!
It was cold cold cold today with a brisk wind, so I didn't really argue much when SK suggested that we drive. He dropped me off within a block of the beauty salon. It is on a tiny little street that is only a block or two long. It is lined with little shops, some of which are as old as any in the city. In fact, a charming little pub across the street is said to be the oldest in Oxford. It is painted a bright pink, and I think someday we will stop by there for fish and chips.
He found a parking spot and then decided to take care of a couple of errands while I was being pampered. He walked back to our apartment and beyond, taking care of several things that had to be done. He saw a lady sitting on the sidewalk in this bitter cold and gave her a few pounds that he had in his pocket, and then walked back to the salon, where I was just paying for the haircut. Then he drove me home.
Before we got to the car, we passed by the most charming little shop. It had cheeses of all sorts, exotic breads, crackers and some smoked meats...and wines. In the window were little quiches and filled croissants....not like a bakery display, but a very small very artful platter. We went in and bought 2 quiches and one tiny little mincemeat pie. We came home and feasted on that delightful lunch. I love doing things like that!!! We both agreed it would be worth the walk to go back just to get those little mincemeat pies. They were all of an inch and a half in diameter, but they were delicious.
After lunch, we did an apartment inspection. It was our sisters here in Oxford, and it really didn't work today because they had two other sister missionaries visiting from another town, they had just fixed lunch, and they had an appointment within a half hour. They also had several things wrong with the flat. I took the list, and SK checked the things that were wrong. They, along with so many young missionaries reported that their vacuum cleaner was not working.
We have learned that the first thing you do is check the vacuum cleaner bag or canister. Yes, indeed, it was so overfull that it is a wonder it was picking anything up at all. For some reason, if we could narrow it down to the least understood housecleaning task, it would be that very few young people arrive in the mission field knowing how to empty a vacuum cleaner!
I did a quick check of the apartment and will talk to the sisters in the morning. It wasn't the time to try to talk about how they could improve.
SK emptied the canister....and it took some effort because there was so much dirt and hair jammed in so tightly. But he got it cleaned out really well. He looked at their washing machine and dryer, and thinks we'll go back to do a better job.
On our way back to our flat, we walked past the town square. It was hopping! Very busy. And right in the middle of all the busy-ness were Elders Hill and Tshendabo, both earnestly talking to passersby. They are so cute! There was also a little souvenir truck parked and selling wares. I found an Oxford Sweatshirt that will keep me warm in this apartment during these winter months. I love sweatshirts!
One of our YSAs said that the official Oxford logo on shirts is something freshmen buy as soon as they get here. Then after a month or two they realize that they are the only one in town (besides all the tourists!!!) to be wearing an Oxford shirt. Well, I guess I will fit right in with all the tourists.
It was fifteen dollars and something I will have forever.
Back home and into the car and off we went to the church. This was our week to clean. SK vacuumed the entire church. I cleaned toilets, sinks, mirrors, windows in the doors, kitchen counters and stove top and mopped. It took us 2 1/2 hours. SK worked really hard toting that vacuum around up and down the stairs and into all the corners and under all the chairs. I could hear him whistling as he vacuumed. It was a sweet sound to me.
When we got home, he dropped me off at the front door and then he parked the car. I came up the stairs and into the apartment and left the door open for him. Soon I heard him coming up the steps humming.
He's quite a guy!
It was cold cold cold today with a brisk wind, so I didn't really argue much when SK suggested that we drive. He dropped me off within a block of the beauty salon. It is on a tiny little street that is only a block or two long. It is lined with little shops, some of which are as old as any in the city. In fact, a charming little pub across the street is said to be the oldest in Oxford. It is painted a bright pink, and I think someday we will stop by there for fish and chips.
He found a parking spot and then decided to take care of a couple of errands while I was being pampered. He walked back to our apartment and beyond, taking care of several things that had to be done. He saw a lady sitting on the sidewalk in this bitter cold and gave her a few pounds that he had in his pocket, and then walked back to the salon, where I was just paying for the haircut. Then he drove me home.
Before we got to the car, we passed by the most charming little shop. It had cheeses of all sorts, exotic breads, crackers and some smoked meats...and wines. In the window were little quiches and filled croissants....not like a bakery display, but a very small very artful platter. We went in and bought 2 quiches and one tiny little mincemeat pie. We came home and feasted on that delightful lunch. I love doing things like that!!! We both agreed it would be worth the walk to go back just to get those little mincemeat pies. They were all of an inch and a half in diameter, but they were delicious.
 |
| This is two sixths of a quiche that was about 4 inches in diameter, onion and elemental cheese. Heavenly. |
After lunch, we did an apartment inspection. It was our sisters here in Oxford, and it really didn't work today because they had two other sister missionaries visiting from another town, they had just fixed lunch, and they had an appointment within a half hour. They also had several things wrong with the flat. I took the list, and SK checked the things that were wrong. They, along with so many young missionaries reported that their vacuum cleaner was not working.
We have learned that the first thing you do is check the vacuum cleaner bag or canister. Yes, indeed, it was so overfull that it is a wonder it was picking anything up at all. For some reason, if we could narrow it down to the least understood housecleaning task, it would be that very few young people arrive in the mission field knowing how to empty a vacuum cleaner!
I did a quick check of the apartment and will talk to the sisters in the morning. It wasn't the time to try to talk about how they could improve.
SK emptied the canister....and it took some effort because there was so much dirt and hair jammed in so tightly. But he got it cleaned out really well. He looked at their washing machine and dryer, and thinks we'll go back to do a better job.
On our way back to our flat, we walked past the town square. It was hopping! Very busy. And right in the middle of all the busy-ness were Elders Hill and Tshendabo, both earnestly talking to passersby. They are so cute! There was also a little souvenir truck parked and selling wares. I found an Oxford Sweatshirt that will keep me warm in this apartment during these winter months. I love sweatshirts!
One of our YSAs said that the official Oxford logo on shirts is something freshmen buy as soon as they get here. Then after a month or two they realize that they are the only one in town (besides all the tourists!!!) to be wearing an Oxford shirt. Well, I guess I will fit right in with all the tourists.
It was fifteen dollars and something I will have forever.
 |
| In case you didn't glance at the fine print, the date is 1231!!!! |
Back home and into the car and off we went to the church. This was our week to clean. SK vacuumed the entire church. I cleaned toilets, sinks, mirrors, windows in the doors, kitchen counters and stove top and mopped. It took us 2 1/2 hours. SK worked really hard toting that vacuum around up and down the stairs and into all the corners and under all the chairs. I could hear him whistling as he vacuumed. It was a sweet sound to me.
When we got home, he dropped me off at the front door and then he parked the car. I came up the stairs and into the apartment and left the door open for him. Soon I heard him coming up the steps humming.
He's quite a guy!
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