Category: general

20
Nov
2023

REALLY RANDOM

Lately, I keep evaluating songs I’m listening to on whether I’d like to have them played at my funeral or not. Would they send the appropriate message to my grieving friends and family? Are they “pretty” or “mellow” or “thoughtful” enough? Appropriate: Make it Good by Ruut Inappropriate: Gone Baby Gone by Boz Scaggs Appropriate: When You Come Back Down by Nickel Creek Inappropriate: There She Goes by The La’s Appropriate: As I Lay Me Down by Sophie B. Hawkins Inappropriate: Fortunately Gone by The Breeders This morning, I woke up with a disturbing dream still very fresh in my...

19
Nov
2023

25 YEARS OF TURKEYNESS

We had our annual Friendsgiving yesterday and per usual, I did not take one single photo of the event, and apart from the kids, no one had their phones out at all, so there is no virtual record of the evening. We invited 28 people and ended up with 24, which turns out to be pretty much the perfect number, actually. With two long tables filling up the living/dining room, and everyone talking, it made for a very crowded, loud space, but it was so fun! Lots of laughter, and non-stop talking, and even after the buffet was opened, everyone...

13
Nov
2023

MOVING THROUGH MORTALITY

Tomorrow we’re going to the funeral of one of Anders’ friends from high school. He was younger than me. 2 years younger, almost exactly the same age as my sister. He was diagnosed with cancer in April and given 4 months, though he held out for nearly 6. I’ve known him and his wife for a little over 27 years. Their kids are the same ages as ours. The four kids have known each other their entire lives. We’ve gone to New Year’s parties with them, crayfish parties nearly every year, graduation parties, big birthday parties for one or another...

06
Nov
2023

BUILDING CLUES

I spent the past couple of days working on another crossword after I got the idea for a really good theme. And then halfway through working on it, I thought of an even better theme-related connection and was able to adapt it. I worked really hard on it, and am really proud of it. Even though I messed up by once again not checking for duplicates until it was too late, I was able to make them work within the theme anyway, so it worked out. I was even able to add an alternate solution to one of the clues,...

02
Nov
2023

THE WEIGHT OF AIR

Ugh, trying to lose weight is such a pain, especially when you like food. I keep bouncing up and down on the same half kilo, even though I’m pretty happy that I’ve managed to get down 6 kilos (5.5, no 6, no 5.5, no 6, no…SIGH) since the end of the summer, without trying super hard. I read somewhere that most people think that losing weight means you are evacuating it when you go to the bathroom, but the truth is that most of it is BREATHED OUT. Isn’t that weird? How can fat turn to CARBON DIOXIDE? If you...

28
Oct
2023

POSITIVELY RE-VOLTING

On Thursday, we had our Halloween fika in the afternoon. I had a crazy day as I had a birthday lunch to attend, then a dentist appointment, then had to get back for the fika. The team had decided on a fairly easy costume idea: we went as Marcom afternoon tea in honor of Helen who organized the fika and who has been our party planner, when she’s not been doing her regular assistant to the Vice President of Marketing job. She’s English, you see. One of my teammates brought fiberduk and we cut it into 2-meter lengths to be...

21
Oct
2023

POWERLESS BUT PUMPKINED

Yesterday was the blusteriest of blustery days. It was windy all day, with winds whipping the trees into a real frenzy. I worked from home both Thursday and Friday as I had been trying to beat a cold since earlier in the week and on Thursday morning it caught up with me. I stayed in bed for a few hours, and then felt better, so got up and worked. Since I was still pretty gunky yesterday, I stayed home again but felt okay enough to work a full day. By the time Anders came home, it was really stormy weather...

15
Oct
2023

ORANGE YOU GLAD IT’S AUTUMN?

It’s heading on for Halloween. I have signed up for the annual adult Halloween social for the AIC which Kirstin hosts, but honestly I hate dressing up. Every time I have to, I try to find the easiest, most simple costume idea I can…one that doesn’t involve a lot of shopping or face paint or elaborate things to put on. I signed up for 2 people but Anders doesn’t usually want to go if he can avoid it, so I might end up going by myself. Last year, I went with both kids and Karin came up with a super...

10
Oct
2023

BABBLING BLABBITER

Hmmm. I don’t know what to write about. I’m in a bit of a writing funk these days. Haven’t I already told you everything about me? (no) Haven’t you already learned all you could possibly care about when it comes to my opinions and ideas? (probably) Aren’t you sick of me yet? (never!) Anders is in Tingsryd until tomorrow. Karin has a sore throat but felt compelled to go to work today regardless and has to go tomorrow and Thursday as well for partner events that she is coordinating as there isn’t really anyone to hand them over to. She...

07
Oct
2023

A BREATH, A BREAK

Why is so easy to keep writing once you’ve started, and so hard to get going again once you’ve stopped? It’s always real life getting in the way, for me. Karin always asks me to share photos when I’m out doing things, and I always have to answer that I didn’t take any. I’m usually so busy living in the moment that don’t even think about taking photos. It’s the same with writing here…I’m often so busy living in the moment that I don’t take the time to sit down and write about it. I’ve had a crazy busy three...