Yearly Archive: 2016

31
Dec
2016

RETROSPECTIVE

he last day of 2016, hurrah! Normally, I would be a bit sad about the end of the year, but I am really hoping that, despite the orange-frosted muffin going into office in my native country, things will get better *pastes bright smile into place* instead of getting worse. After all, things are going well for me and my family, so despite the debacle of the US election, and the loss of so many people I admired: Gene Wilder, Carrie Fisher, Alan Rickman, David Bowie, Harper Lee, Richard Adams, George Michael, Anton Yelchin, Prince,…(oof) among many many others, I am...

27
Dec
2016

I’LL BE HOME

My husband, who has been working in the garage for a few hours, came in to the kitchen while I was preparing a plate for my dinner (both kids are out tonight). “Oh, is it still leftovers?” he asked. I gave him the hairy eyeball. Has he not looked in the refrigerator?? We have enough food to feed an army for a week. So, yes, leftovers again. Not that I’m complaining since I only get turkey sandwiches twice a year! We had a major wind storm through southern Sweden last night (it was named Urd, which seems…odd, since that is...

25
Dec
2016

HO HO HO

I actually had to roust both kids out of bed today at 10 a.m. with Christmas carols on full blast, since there was no sign of either one of them moving, despite Karin’s threats last night to wake us up at six a.m. HA. Teenagers are lame. It rained all day today…super boring weather for Christmas except for the fact that water drops hanging from the honeysuckle creepers looked like diamonds. Two days ago was my mother-in-law’s birthday; she turned 88. She had a knee replacement operation a few weeks ago but is home and recovering well, despite still having...

24
Dec
2016

EK FAMILY CHRISTMAS LETTER

Every year I am amazed again at how fast 365 days can pass. Here it is, the end of 2016 and Christmas is upon us once again! We’ve had a busy year with many celebrations in it and lots of traveling. There were some major milestones, and some big birthdays as well. Anders has had a great year of mountain-biking, participating in a series of X Cup tournaments as well as doing the Cyckel Vasa for the first time, which is a race on the same track that the Vasaloppet Ski Race takes place on. His job has taken him...

17
Dec
2016

IT’S ME AGAIN

You know, I had seriously good intentions to post more often this month, since I was so lame busy in November, but it appears that I am paving the road to blog post hell instead. I hate just writing catch-up posts of what I’ve been doing, where I’ve been, why I’m absent, because who cares, really? I know I have a few faithful readers, but I really wonder if anyone is REALLY following this journal anymore. I don’t know that I would be, if I were you. Though it’s not like there are a lot of bloggers left to follow...

04
Dec
2016

ALL UP IN THE BUSY

Oops, my crazy week got away from me and I had no chance to post anything. But! Everything this week has gone very well, and I am here on a Sunday feeling pretty good about things. Christmas cards are all mailed as are the overseas packages, and I ordered my niece’s birthday presents today (though they will be late). I’m ordering Christmas gift and birthday gift for John’s boys in a few minutes and then all I have left are presents for my family (some of which are already done or ordered). Anders’ mom had knee replacement surgery on Tuesday...

27
Nov
2016

PREP

Busy week, busy weekend, busy week, busy weekend…that’s how the rest of the year plays out (see last post). I’m feeling rather accomplished, considering how much I have to get done. The house is decorated for Christmas (no tree(s), that will be in 2 weeks, most likely and I got the cookies baked for the cookie exchange on Tuesday. Had a lovely dinner with Debbie and Camilla yesterday and presents to be mailed are ready to go, and I’m finishing my Christmas cards tonight, so I feel like I’m ahead of schedule, yay! The weather has gotten quite cold now,...

20
Nov
2016

MY ACTUAL SCHEDULE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR

For my own logistical record-keeping, or just for posterity, whichever. Sun, Nov 20 – laundry, house-cleaning, call Martin, write Xmas letter Mon, Nov 21 – work, WW, start preparing Xmas presents for mailing Tue, Nov 22 – work, hair appointment Wed, Nov 23 – work, AWC website prep Thu, Nov 24 – doctor appointment, work, AWC wreathmaking Fri, Nov 25 – work, grocery shopping Sat, Nov 26 – house-cleaning, cookie baking, dinner with D&C Sun, Nov 27 – call Martin, call mom, start Xmas cards and finalize Xmas presents for mailing Mon, Nov 28 – work, WW, finalize AWC website...

19
Nov
2016

ALIVE AND WELL, WELL, AS WELL AS CAN BE, CONSIDERING

I’ve only posted twice this month so far, and to be honest, I haven’t had the heart or the energy to post much more. I read the news every day and fall a little farther into disbelief and despair each time. Anders came home late last night from 2 weeks in Italy for work. He worked today, came home, declared he didn’t feel well, at which point all three of us promptly fell asleep on various sofas, and then he got violently ill. Then he told me he was freezing and went to bed. Not good. I really, really hope...

12
Nov
2016

SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM

I have been mostly without words in public this week. I have spoken with my children, who were devastated by the results of the US election but I had little comfort to give them. At work, I was confronted all week long with non-Americans who were genuinely agape at the circus that has reigned for nearly 2 years and the end of it in particular. I felt myself put on the defensive, and given repeated condolences on the stupidity and wrongheadedness of my fellow countrymen. It is even harder to comprehend when you consider that if all votes were treated...

April 2024
S M T W T F S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930  

Archives