Monthly Archive: December 2024

30
Dec
2024

RETROSPECTIVE

nd of the year retrospectives are fun to do. I’ve been writing them since 2008. I guess they appeal to the listmaker in me, and the OCD-me as well, because now that’s it been a tradition for 16 years, I can hardly stop now, can I? 2024 was a good year in many ways, judging by the family Xmas letter that I wrote and posted last week. Lots of travel for all of us, and I DID make it to Ireland, after dithering for a very long time between it and the south of France for my birthday trip. Karin...

26
Dec
2024

THE THREE RE’S: REST, RELAX, RECHARGE

It’s the day after Christmas. Boxing Day in the Commonwealth. Annandag Jul in Sweden. It’s a holiday here, too, though lots of stores are open. We had a lovely Christmas. The kids were both home for Christmas Eve. We watched Kalle Anke (which is obligatory in Sweden) at 3 pm with glögg and cookies, then opened one present from under the tree. Then we had julbord, which Anders fixed most of. All the trimmings: 3 kinds of herring, cold smoked and warmed smoked salmon, homemade hovmästarsås, romsås, brunkål, rödkål, and creamed kale (from our garden!), smoked sausage, liver paté with...

22
Dec
2024

EK FAMILY CHRISTMAS LETTER 2024

We still had Liz’s mom and Danely here until January 4 so 2024 started out nicely with family in the house. Karin, however, was still in Austria finishing up her second ski guide season. Anders went skiing up north at the end of January with his best friend Mats. Anders has had a lot of travel this year with work, with multiple weeks away in Kumla, Tingsryd, Italy, Norway, Germany, and Finland, among others. Good thing he loves his job! It’s been a busy year, for sure, with lots of travel, and lots of moving. Martin moved in with Theo...

21
Dec
2024

DEFUSING

Today was lovely. The first day of vacation. Both Anders and I slept in and it was great not to have an alarm go off and to be able to fall asleep again after each of my nighttime bathroom runs. I’ve had a few times lately where I had to get up around 4:30-5 or so and could not get back to sleep. No fun at all on a work night, when you are so tired by 3 pm you could cry. Then I just stayed in bed after we both woke up around 9:30 (!) and checked email, played...

15
Dec
2024

READY TO LOSE IT

I could do with a little less stress. I feel like every little extra thing is about to shove me over the edge. I’ve been so filled with worry about health-related issues and worry about my mom and guilt over my sister dealing with all of it, and the usual crazy at work, that tonight when I misjudged and hit a curb (AGAIN WTF) with the Tesla, I almost lost it completely. I’ve never had a car I dislike so much. I love having an ELECTRIC car, but I hate the Tesla more and more. Not just because of Elon...

10
Dec
2024

I GUESS THERE ARE NEVER ENOUGH BOOKS*

We only have one book left for the AIC book group, which is scheduled for discussion in mid-January. So last month the organizer sent out the request for book recommendations (feels like we just did this, but it was July 2023) and we all sent in 5 book names, and then we got the list and voted, and the results just came back in. It seems that a couple of regulars didn’t recommend any books, but of those of us who did, each of us got at least one of our recommendations onto the list. Unfortunately, this year, there are...

09
Dec
2024

BARKY

I spend a rather embarrassing amount of time thinking about my hair. I’ve even named it, as long-time readers of this blog will remember. ↑ I cover it up if I can when it’s raining or misting because it will frizz out completely if I don’t, and will frizz out regardless, even if I do. It’s like having a poodle on my head. I never really control what it does or how it looks, and frankly, after nearly 28 years in Sweden, where it is so often raining or misting, I’ve kind of given up. The curling iron is relegated...

06
Dec
2024

TIS THE SEASON TO STRESS OUT

I’m tired and stressed and worried about certain things, but at least I’m feeling pretty ready for Christmas and MORE than ready for vacation, which is coming soon. Two more weeks of work and then I’m off for nearly 3 weeks and I can’t wait. I’m sure it will get filled up with things to do but I plan to spend quite a lot of it with my feet up. I’m avoiding sugar for real now, though it might be too late, and it’s been really really hard. For most of this week it was ALL I THOUGHT ABOUT. Yesterday...

December 2024
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