Ready for the Solar Eclipse

Not too much happened this past week, but on Friday we decided to get ready for the solar eclipse like everyone else.  Ed wanted to make sure our eyes were protected so we heard that the City of Philadelphia was giving out free glasses at Dilworth Park (at City Hall downtown) at noon so we walked over about 11:30am to if we could get any.  When we turned the corner we knew we were in trouble. 

This was about 11:30am and before anyone found out there were only 300 to give away.

Ed is in a blue shirt about in the middle of the picture in line.  I took this photo quickly as I left him to walk to the Franklin Institute. 

So we decided I should walk over to the Franklin Institute to see if I could buy some there.  We had been Thursday afternoon but their shipment of glasses had not yet arrived.  They told us that they were on the truck in the city and would be available on Friday so I felt quite confident I would be able to get some.  They were charging $6 for these glasses and most people were trying to find free ones.

So I left Ed in line and "booked" it over to the Franklin Institute.  They had told us that they would begin selling at noon so I was okay for time. 

I arrived and found that there was already a line, but not too long so I joined the line.  (Sorry the photo isn't very good) 

Almost inside the gift shop!!!  Hurray!  I am very encouraged! 

 As the line began to move I noticed that there was an employee with a clipboard talking to the people in line as they got just inside the gift shop.  I realized that these people had reserved glasses!!  We had not been told anything about reserving glasses the day before so I was a little worried.  I asked the man standing just behind me in line.  He had taken a screen shot of his place on the reservation list as had many others in line but he said that he thought they had stopped with the reservations about noon on Thursday and they had 3,000 glasses coming in so he told me not to worry.    
Well, I didn't worry, but then I started wondering about whether I should get some for the Chapmans and I only brought a $20 so I wouldn't have enough for 4.  

I got to the register and I think the cute girl helped me out.  I got a member discount so I had just enough to get 4 pair of glasses.  We are all set for tomorrow!!!

After I returned to work at HSP I was really cold and so I bundled up and that is when Ed started laughing at me and took the picture below.  Then Elder Chapman (Jerry) came around the corner and cracked up and went to get his phone and then his wife (Karen) and the intern Cassandra all came and laughed at me.  

Our work area stays at about 66 degrees all the time.  When I am auditing our work on the computer I am right underneath the vent and I get so cold I have to go about every 90 min to run my fingers under warm water in the bathroom.  But the treasures have to be kept in a cool environment so.....I really look like a babushkah!

Yeah....laugh it up my friends!!!

So, we decided we better get pictures of everybody in front of the vault that holds the treasures. 

Karen & Jerry Chapman with Cassandra

Ed and Nora with Cassandra in front of the vault of treasures! (The first draft of the Constitution!!)

One the way home from work I stopped and talked with the construction workers about the Church's building next door to us.  They told me that this was the last panel of brick to be put into place and then they would be done with that part.  It has been amazing to watch them put these panels up and enclose this building so quickly.  It may be done this fall like the sign says, but they still have a lot of work to do!