Last weekend I got out of Preston, Logan and drove to the big city of SLC to visit my friend Brenda Rose, from England. She is serving a church history mission and works in the patriarchal blessing department. Brenda was baptized into the church the January I arrived in England. Brenda and I first became acquainted after her baptism when she asked Sister Lott and I to teach her children the discussions. On P-days she made us a picnic and took us round to see the sights.
In 2003 I returned to England to visit my old mission area and Brenda hosted me for a few days. Once again she fed me and drove me around and patiently waited while I took photos in Bakewell.
Brenda waiting patiently for me while I shot pics in Bakewell. I don't know why this man was looking at Brenda so strangely.
Brenda in 2003
When I arrived Friday, after work, her complex wasn't hard to find.
Brenda lives in the West Temple Apartments on the 4th floor of 8 story building west of the Conference Center, a prime location and so close to everything.
But Brenda didn't tell me the apartments were gated. I couldn't find her name listed on the call box in the main entry. When residents left the building I whisked in through the door in the main lobby and checked names on mail boxes. Still no Brenda listed. I returned to my car to check her mail box/ apartment/number. I had the wrong one. Once again I was locked out until someone left the building. I checked the correct number and still couldn't finer her name.
I'll just ride the elevator up and meet whoever lives in this apartment and borrow they're phone to call Brenda. ( once again I could have used a cell phone.) When the elevator door opened on the 4th floor, surprise, there stood Brenda coming down to find me. We hugged and said hello. I learned they hadn't posted her as a new resident.
We immediately retreated to the next elevator to move my car off the street to the apartments parking lot. Even the parking entrance and exits are gated. Brenda brought coded card to open the gate. Welcome to the big city, Angela. Like Brenda said, Don't ever leave the apartment without your keys or you'll be locked out of apartment and building. Could I survive the big city and keeping tract of keys?
Anyway we visited caught up on life and families Friday night.
I asked Brenda, What do you want to do on your prep day? Mail boxes at the Post Office, clothes shop, grocery shop, and we threw in a temple session, visited Joseph and Kim, and found some British Fish and Chips in Layton. we had our plan for the day.
'No, don't bother, we'll just use the trolley.”
“The trolley, what's a trolley?”
“The um a you know, the shopping cart.” Brenda fetched the cart from a storage closet outside by the carports and we were in business.
After the post office we decided to head to Layton the best location with the stores Brenda wanted to shop at. But first we needed nourishment. Don't ever clothes shop on an empty stomach or you won't survive.
After several trips up and down Main Street in Layton, I stopped and got directions to this little shop.
A Little Taste of Britain.
front door
We had yummy fish and chips and Brenda added mushy peas to her meal. I thought the fish was fantastic, but Brenda thought the “Batta” was too thick and peeled it off.
“The what?”
“The Batta?”
“You mean Butta or Batta?” I persisted
“No not butta, Batta on the outside.”
“Oh you mean Batterr.” Once we got that straighten out we ate. Also we brought biscuits and crackers.
A close up of Sista Rose, who matches the tulips.
some free advertising
Brenda after hitting the sales at Kohl's She applied for a credit card to get extra discount but didn't have a social security number so her application was rejected. But the clerk offered her a 10.00 discount. Thanks so much.
Born to Shop.
By the time we shopped at Hobby Lobby, the Mall, drove to Ogden to Joseph and Kim's and bought groceries at Walmart it was 9:00. pm before we returned to SLC. I flashed Brenda's card to open the sliding gate, “ I think we need the trolley from the shed.”
looks like fun!
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