Date with Javier - Tuesday, June 8, 2010

What a night we had never knowing what time it was when we would wake up off and on before morning. We use Rich's iPhone as our alarm clock and he can make the digital clock on it light up and stand up by putting it in his little portable speakers that he has. However, he used the speakers at work yesterday and left the power cord to it at the office. So -- no lighted clock last night. We would just have to wait for the alarm to go off telling us that it was 6:00. I hate that because when I glance at the clock during the night, I like to know if I have two hours more to sleep or just 30 minutes. We survived, however, and woke up just fine as scheduled.

Yesterday, the President brought some hand weights up to the office that they are not taking home with them. I can see why -- they would take up all their allotted weight. He asked if Rich or the elders wanted them for their morning exercising routines. He used them faithfully every morning to strengthen his upper body while walking on his treadmill. Doing one or the other at a time is one thing, but to do them both at the same time takes some skill and coordination. We listened in awe as he described his morning workout. Rich was excited to take the very lightest ones to use at home as he does exercises to strengthen his knee, back, and general muscle toning. Today, however, he added another element to his exercise program. He went out in the hall, took the elevator to the bottom floor and walked up the five flights of stairs -- twice. He said it was good for his knee and heart. I was not invited to join him because he knew what the answer would be.

The temperature is getting colder each morning as we walk to the office. I think it may be time to put the lining in my coat. Argentines are bundled up with a scarf covering their mouths and noses. We aren't quite to that point yet. I guess coming from snow country we have more stamina.

I had a deadline today in getting supplies and things ready for the next two zones having their interviews tomorrow which are Belgrano and Norte. I needed to be done by at least 1:30 to get to my hair appointment with Javier at 2:00, and I couldn't wait. The last time I went for a color and cut was in February. So I am over due.

We had a surprise phone call today from President Gulbrandsen. He was trying to get a hold of President Argyle who was not answering his phone, so he tried calling the office. When Elder Kroff identified himself, they had a friendly conversation, sounding like they had been friends forever. Those two will get along just fine as they are both Mac fans -- big time!! I was able to talk to him too and he sounds so fun and approachable. He said they love us already because we agreed to extend to help them out a little longer. The President said we would love his wife and he put her on the phone. She sounded like a darling person and asked me a few questions. I assured her we would "stick to them like glue" if they needed us to, in order to help them get adjusted.

Elder Kroff had to go to the old mission offices in San Isidro to pick up mail that is still being delivered there, so he came with me in the remise that was going to take me to my hair appointment. They dropped me off and then he went on his errand.

Javier and his assistant, Maria, have a good business. Today, Maria was busy working with someone else, so Javier had to wash my hair and apply the color. He has never done that before with me. The shop was not busy, but it still took three hours before I was through. He spent a LOT of time cutting my hair. He looks kind of scary, but he is a nice guy. He speaks some English too.

A remise was called to take me home. I couldn't talk to the driver on the way except to tell him where I needed to go, the address, and told him where to turn as we got closer. He was impressed with my Spanish -- my very limited Spanish.

After a dinner of grill cheese sandwiches and Campbells Tomato soup for dinner, Rich left for his English class. He returned 30 minutes later as no one showed up. The members are getting fewer and fewer due to busy schedules and cold weather. It is hard to come out in the dark and cold, so it may not be worth having it anymore. He'll see how it goes the next couple of weeks.